Online Reporter
Luthando Mapepa
Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Red Cross Society has launched a new regional initiative — the Southern Africa Compounded Crisis Project — aimed at building climate-smart resilience in drought-prone areas.
Five wards in Chipinge District are set to benefit from the project.
Running from April 2025 to December 2026, the project has a total budget of £1, 389 million.
Its primary objectives are to address pressing issues such as water and sanitation, food security, and livelihood development.
The five targeted wards will be selected in consultation with the Chipinge District leadership.
Speaking during the inception meeting held at a Mutare hotel, Zimbabwe Red Cross Society secretary general, Mr Elias Hwenga said the project seeks to transition from emergency responses to sustainable, long-term community empowerment.
“In the past, we primarily responded to disasters such as Cyclone Idai, Cyclone Eline, and cholera outbreaks in Buhera and Nyanga. However, our focus has shifted to prevention and resilience,” said Mr Hwenga.
He said the project will target women and children, who are often the most vulnerable during emergencies.
“One of our main objectives is to protect women and children by empowering them through community savings and income-generating activities. This will, not only improve their economic status, but also reduce cases of abuse at household and community levels,” he said.
Mr Hwenga said the goal is to ensure that the project’s impact endures beyond its official timeline by strengthening community capacity.
“This is not merely a short-term solution. We aim for the benefits of this project to continue even after 2026, which is why we are focusing on resilience and self-reliance,” he added.
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has committed to provide technical support and mobilising resources for the project.
Senior livelihoods officer for the IFRC, covering Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, Mrs Tawona Matenda said the project is a vital step towards strengthening community-based climate resilience and food security initiatives in the region.
“Our role is to provide technical support to the programme and utilise it as a fundraising platform for future climate resilience and food security interventions, not only in Zimbabwe, but also across Southern Africa.
“This initiative aims to alleviate human suffering through community-based interventions that foster long-term resilience. We are exploring innovation and strategic partnerships with government, NGOs, and the research sector,” she said.
A key component of the project is strengthening the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society itself.
Mrs Matenda said the objective is to equip the national society with the capacity to lead future interventions in areas such as food security, livelihoods, and climate adaptation.
“It is our hope that, through this approach, the Zimbabwe Red Cross will become a stronger, more capable organisation that can scale up climate-resilient programmes nationwide,” she said.
Permanent Secretary Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Abiot Maronge welcomed the initiative, saying it will significantly improve the livelihoods of the Chipinge community.
