Story by Mercy Bofu
GOVERNMENT, in partnership with development organisations, is implementing indigenous nature-based solutions to strengthen climate change adaptation in drought-prone communities in Masvingo Province, improving livelihoods and building resilience.
Working with the Mennonite Central Committee and Global Affairs Canada, Government is rolling out initiatives including gully reclamation, clean energy projects and conservation agriculture in Masvingo and Mwenezi districts.
The interventions are helping communities mitigate the effects of climate change while restoring degraded land and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
One beneficiary, Ms Esnath Gurire said the programme has enabled her household to adopt clean energy technologies.
“I am one of the beneficiaries of this project, and we were assisted to adopt clean energy initiatives; hence, I have got a biogas digester at my homestead.”
Community members said the project has also helped reclaim land damaged by severe soil erosion.
“This area was once hit by heavy rains… Through this project, our communities are actively reversing this damage using a blend of engineered nature-based solutions and local labour.”
Government officials, legislators and development partners toured the projects over the weekend to assess progress.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Mr Simon Masanga said community participation is central to effective climate adaptation.
“The adverse impact of climate change can be mitigated if we work together with communities, tapping into their knowledge, not just imposing ideas coming from outside.”
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Honourable Sam Matema said the initiative reflects Government’s whole-of-society approach to addressing climate challenges.
“As government is adopting the whole-of-society approach, we are saying let us get all key actors participating in providing solutions to issues confronting humanity.”
Mennonite Central Committee Country Director Mr Gopal Tapkida said the partnership aligns with Government’s climate adaptation framework while giving communities a platform to contribute to national solutions.
“We are collaborating with the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife on the framework that has already been designed by the government of Zimbabwe… It is also an opportunity for the community to speak their issues into the national frame.”
The US$15 million Indigenous Nature-based Solutions for Climate Change Adaptation in Zimbabwe project is benefiting more than 48,000 vulnerable people across Masvingo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces.
