Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
THOUSANDS of villagers in Zvimba District’s Ward 33 are set to benefit from improved access to water following the commissioning of nine solar-powered boreholes.
The project was implemented by United Arab Emirates-based Muslim humanitarian organisation, Sharjah Charity International, in partnership with Zimbabwe Global Charity Trust.
The initiative is part of efforts to complement Government programmes to improve access to water and addressing shortages in rural communities.
Zimbabwe Global Charity Trust executive director Mr Adam Wadi said the project was designed to improve livelihoods by providing communities with a reliable source of water.
He said the area was predominantly a communal farming community, with most households cultivating smallholdings of less than three hectares.
“The provision of water will go a long way in improving the livelihoods of people in this community, particularly given that they rely largely on agriculture,” said Mr Wadi.
Mr Wadi said the project was aimed at enhancing livelihoods through water
“The area, like many others in Zimbabwe, has not been spared from disasters such as recurring droughts, decreasing rainfall, heatwaves, low crop yields, water and food insecurity,” he said.
“There has been a shift in gender roles as women now walk long distances to fetch water and, in some cases, men have taken that role.” He said the organisations seek to address water scarcity, women’s vulnerability and food insecurity emanating from the impact of climate change.
“With support from Sharjah Charity, we aim to enhance locally based adaptation anchored on improving water security and food production for households in Zvimba,” he said.
“The project is targeting everyone as the primary beneficiaries since they are more vulnerable to climate change effects.”
Mr Wadi said they will strategically cooperate with expert and policy-based partners such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development and the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, as well as local community leaders who will assist in siting more boreholes.
“Through this project, we are pursuing Sustainable Development Goals which include no poverty, zero hunger, good health, water provision and climate action,” he said.
