Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter
IN a move that seeks to address the adverse effects of the El Niño induced drought, the Government, the Food Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the French Embassy have launched the Nourish and Thrive project.
Speaking during the launch on Tuesday, Deputy Director of Family and Social Protection & Commissioner for Refugees in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Joseph Tirirvavi, said the project came at a critical time when the country is facing threats of food security and nutrition due to the El Niño-induced drought.
He acknowledged the French Embassy and FAO for their support.
“Let me start by thanking the French Government, who through their Embassy in Zimbabwe are funding this project to the tune of 1 million Euro and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) for the technical support towards implementation of this project,” he said.
Targeting rural communities in Mwenezi and Masvingo, the programme fulfills the Government’s commitment of ensuring that no one starves.
“The Government of Zimbabwe has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that every citizen of the country has access to enough safe and nutritious food.
“I am well informed that the Nourish and Thrive project is aimed at improving child nutrition status and promoting household nutrition, food security and resilience.
“This is in line with the National Development Strategy 1 and the recently launched Zimbabwe’s Multi-sectoral Food and Nutrition Strategy 2023-2025,” said Mr Tirivavi.
The Nourish and Strive project’s core focus is achieving three transformative outcomes – improved nutrition, strengthened household and community resilience and enhanced capacities of community health workers as food system actors to deliver nutrition-related interventions.
“The Nourish and Thrive project represents a beacon of hope. This initiative is designed to provide nutrition-sensitive social protection to those most affected by the drought.
“Together, we will establish a common understanding of the project’s objectives, clarify roles and responsibilities, and foster collaboration across all levels of implementation,” said FAO sub-regional coordinator for southern Africa and representative to Zimbabwe, Ms Patrice Talla.
This initiative is a critical part of Zimbabwe’s resilience against climate-induced food insecurity and is aligned with national frameworks like the Nutrition Emergency Response Plan and the El Niño Drought Flash Appeal Strategy.
Deputy Head of Mission Benjamin Durrenberger, representing the French Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Paul-Bertrand Barets, said France continues to support vulnerable households.
“France is continuing its efforts through its international strategy for food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture (2019 – 2024) for vulnerable households,” he said.
“We would like to acknowledge and commend the Government of Zimbabwe for its fight against malnutrition and to reassert France’s commitment at its side.”
Online Reporter