The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) handed over to Government today some 80 MT relief items, including family tents, plastic tarpaulins, mosquito nets, sleeping mats, solar lamps and kitchen sets to support 10,000 Zimbabweans affected by cyclone Idai. “The devastating cyclone has left people in dire need of humanitarian support,” said UNHCR Country…
By John Wilson Dear All – a reflective letter from Zimbabwe after a very difficult week It has been a very emotional week here in this part of the world. Cyclone Idai has wreaked havoc, as you will have seen in the news. The scenes from Mozambique via news and personal testimonies that are coming…
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the donation of $1.5 million to support the relief effort in aid of the victims of Tropical Cyclone Idai which devastated the southern African countries of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi recently. Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah said that the relief package was approved by the Bank’s Board of…
Econet Wireless has not withdrawn its relief effort operations to victims of Cyclone Idai because of alleged political interferences, contrary to some reports. In a statement, Econet said it was continuing with its relief work, and its teams had as of Tuesday March 26, 2019, carried out the highest number of missions in a single…
WhatsApp is extremely popular in messaging app used in Africa and it is not surprise that we shall see several 3rd party services crop out around it. MTN has launched a WhatsApp channel to let its customers buy airtime and data bundles through the messaging app which becomes a world first for the telco industry…
“In the near distance, Cyclone Idai is destroying lives, faster than we are saving them. Please take a moment tonight to collect blankets, clothes, food, water and toiletries. Please give whatever you can, even if it’s just a jersey.” This was the heartfelt plea local performing artist, Ammara Brown, put out this week in her…
Companies in the Masawara Group on Friday (22 March) handed over relief packs to Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Sekai Nzenza and Deputy Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Jennifer Mhlanga to help those affected by Cyclone Idai. The Masawara Group is made up of the Zimnat Insurance Group, Cresta Group…
By Tendai Guvamombe The Adam Molai Foundation a local private voluntary organisation registered with the ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare recently proved that life is meaningless without access to good health services when they roped in medical doctors and other related facilities aimed at assisting Cyclone Idai victims. President Mnangagwa declared last…
By Charles Dhewa Although rural communities in Africa may not directly push-back donor support, murmurings of dissatisfaction with some development interventions are getting louder. Such concerns are being expressed when farmers meet in markets and farming areas. Some community leaders are mastering the courage to loudly reflect on how long they will continue relying on…
The European Union has provided a helicopter to support the relief efforts in the Eastern Highlands following the devastating impact of Cyclone Idai earlier this month. The helicopter (Mi-8AMT), operated by the World Food Programme (WFP), started its mission this morning from Mutare. It can transport up to three metric tons or 19 people and…
The Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) is joining the nation in charitable work to support victims of Cyclone Idai that largely affected the eastern province of Manicaland The Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) is joining the nation in charitable work to support victims of Cyclone Idai that largely affected the eastern province of Manicaland. Cyclone Idai which…
UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock yesterday allocated US$20 million from the United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to ramp up the humanitarian response to Tropical Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. The bulk of the funding will kickstart the response in worst-hit Mozambique. The cyclone made landfall near Beira City, Sofala Province in…
At least 300 more people are feared dead in Chimanimani and Chipinge due to the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai that swept through the country over the weekend, leaving thousands homeless and property damaged. This came amid reports that most Cabinet ministers had been commandeered to join President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is already in Manicaland…
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged $25 billion funding towards financing climate change mitigation programmes in the continent for the period 2020- 2025. AfDB president, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, made the announcement in a communiqué by the regional bank last week at the close of the One Planet Summit, which took place in Nairobi, Kenya. …
Today Spiked had an opportunity to meet the Zimbabwe Information and Communication Technologies (ZICT) Chairman Eng. Jacob Mutisi and he emphasizes that time has come for us not to continue blaming the Government and that we take a leading role. Eng. Mutisi said during the Cholera outbreak one of the resolutions was the set up…
NMB Bank has donated various foodstuffs and consumables to assist families who have suffered from the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai, which hit north eastern parts of the country. To help with mobilisation of more resources, the bank has also opened an account for anyone wishing to help provide relief to those who have lost…
Econet Zimbabwe group of companies have collectively contributed RTGS$5 million for the cyclone emergency efforts in Eastern Zimbabwe. The company has channeled the funds to Higherlife Foundation, which is now deeply embedded in efforts to respond to the crisis. Dr Kennedy Mubaiwa (MD), who heads the Foundation, said Higherlife was mobilising various types of support,…
The Community Water Alliance has urged the government to take a leaf from Cyclone Idai that destroyed property and affected livelihoods to come up with development plans for cities and towns. “Community Water Alliance expresses condolences to families that have lost their beloved ones in the Eastern parts of Zimbabwe. We stand with victims of…
Econet Wireless is almost near to reach $100K on donations from well-wishers and it pledges to match dollar-for-dollar on all contributions. Bravo!!! Will be updating this article as more donations pour in from well-wishers. A state of disaster was declared in Zimbabwe. Eighty-two people have so far been confirmed dead across the country, and a…
By Charles Dhewa Policy makers in developing countries are often blamed for lacking the vision to craft appropriate agricultural policies that can guarantee food security and better standards of living for their people. While good policies are considered magic bullets, there is no sufficient proof that countries that have developed their economies have done so…
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the impact of Cyclone Idai a state of disaster. So far, there have been 31 deaths and over 100 people are missing. According to the Metrological Services Department, areas within the pathway of Cyclone Idai include Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, parts of Masvingo and Midlands provinces. Its…
Incessant rains and strong winds that have hit Manicaland Province, since 14 March to date, especially the Chimanimani and Chipinge districts, have left huge trails of disaster. Hon Trevor Saruwka, the MDC Spokesperson for Manicaland reported that Chipinge East Member of Parliament, Hon Mateo Mlambo, has reported that more than 40 houses have been destroyed…
In view of the latest catastrophe that has resulted in the displacement of close to 500 households, NetOne has pledged $50,000.00 towards the purchase of key basic food items to feed the affected families. Cyclone IDAI has caused massive damage especially within the Chipinge and Chimanimani districts and has left approximately 31 people dead and…
Zimbabwe is attending the fourth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya from the 11th to the 15th of March 2019. The delegation is being led by the Minister for Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon. P. Mupfumira. The delegation is comprised of Senior Government officials such as the Secretary for Environment,…
By Byron Mutingwende The Simuka-Phakama 2018 Green enterPRIZE Innovation Challenge is creating a platform for green enterprise development and eco-innovation to thrive Zimbabwe by empowering the citizens and businesses, particularly the youth and women, to become drivers of green and decent jobs creation. By facilitating their access to a tailored business development programme, supported by…
UN humanitarian chief allocates US$10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund, says more is required with 5.3 million people in need of assistance following drought and prolonged economic crisis During a three-day mission to Zimbabwe, including a meeting this morning with His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator…
The United States Government announced US$15 million in additional funding to respond to the critical food security situation in Zimbabwe. The contribution, provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), brings the total U.S. funding for the current lean season to US$38 million, ensuring nearly 600,000 rural Zimbabweans have adequate food supplies before the…
A major headache for many developing countries is developing criteria for valuating highly fluid and transitory economic activities that are now more prevalent. Employment creation in agricultural markets and informal business ecosystems is now a major domain for women and youth, most of whom are highly mobile. Economic actors in the trading business specialize on…
By Byron Mutingwende Embracing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Standards is useful in dealing with developmental challenges such as climate change, a development expert has said. In his remarks at the SDGs and Standards Conference held at Cresta Lodge in Harare on 12 February 2019, Tawanda Muzamwese,…
By Amon Mwashaireni (ARDA Seeds CEO) The season 2018/2019 is proving to be a drought one in most areas across the country. This has been attributed to the El Nino phenomenon which was rightfully predicted by the Meteorological Services Department. Rightly so, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Rural Resettlement and Climate, encouraged increased production…
The Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme is funded to the tune of €45 Million by the European Union through the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), and co-funded by the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM). The SWM Programme is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the French Agricultural…
By Tendai Guvamombe Legislators are a key tool to influence the formation of informed polices and realign laws in the quest to advance sustainable wetlands management for the greater good of Zimbabwe. This was revealed by Chairperson of Environment and Tourism Parliamentary Portfolio Committee, Honourable Concilia Chinanzvavana at a Breakfast Meeting on Wetlands attended by…
By Charles Dhewa During times of socio-economic stability, farmers and entrepreneurs can afford to rely on one commodity or value chain. Not when climate change is announcing itself in unpredictable ways. That is why experimentation is no longer a preserve for schools and universities. Farming areas and markets are becoming laboratories for intelligent experimentation among…
TelOne, in partnership with the Norton Member of the National Assembly Temba Mliswa, local authority for the town and members of the community embarked on a massive cleanup campaign at Ngoni Shopping centre before planting trees at Knowe Primary School in Norton. TelOne Acting Managing Director, Mr Joseph Machiva said the initiative was in…
By Tendai Guvamombe An environmental activist Francis Nyamutsamba has come under fire for allegedly haunting Peg Makuchete over his double storey mansion and for allegedly delaying construction progress in Glen Lorne under the banner of a sub-catchment council. Information established by Spiked Online revealed that Peg Makuchete formerly bought the high class residential stand in…
By Tendai Guvamombe The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has come under fire for allowing the invasion of wetlands by property developers. On Wednesday 9 January 2019, the City of Harare in conjunction with Harare Wetlands Trust (HWT) and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) jointly toured various suburbs of Harare to assess progress made on the…
The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) and the Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa) recently hosted an investor forum in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together financiers and companies from across the world to find investment opportunities in renewable energy businesses operating in Africa. The forum was an investor to business (I2B) match-making platform…
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority is proud to have its subsidiary, ARDA Seeds, that is providing seeds as a critical input to ensure bumper harvests for all farmers countrywide. Speaking to Spiked Online Media, Jemitius Mukiwa, an ARDA marketing executive said ARDA SEEDS (Pvt) LTD is a registered private company wholly owned subsidiary of Agricultural…
During the two weeks of the conference, the African Development Bank assumed its role as primary champion of African interests and a steadfast supporter of African negotiators The curtain has fallen on COP24 (www.COP24afdb.org), this year’s global climate summit held in Katowice, Poland. However, negotiations continued throughout the weekend to reach agreement on specific parts of the…
Africa must unlock the power of its women and girls if it is to adapt to climate change, cope with disasters and build its green energy sector By Special Correspondent That is the message from African delegates as the world prepares to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change in Katowice, Poland, this week. Research…
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has emphasised on the need to address Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Zimbabwe. Speaking at the HHP workshop held in Harare on 13 December 2018, Gabriele Ranieri (Officer in Charge) FAO Subregional Office for Southern Africa, said the world over, countries are facing the challenge…
By Charles Dhewa In spite of millions of dollars that have gone into market linkage initiatives in developing countries over the past few years, farmers still struggle to sell their commodities profitably. Post-harvest losses have not gone down, gluts continue to alternate with shortages and relationships between farmers and processors have not improved. This suggests…
The details of the “Desert to Power Initiative” have been outlined as part of the Paris Agreement climate change talks at COP24 in Katowice, Poland this week. Energy poverty in Africa is estimated to cost the continent 2-4 % GDP annually, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org), which is leading the project. The…
The Embassy of Sweden announced today SEK 45 million grant to the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF) to allow the timely roll out of the Crisis Modifier. Crisis modification is used in Resilience building as a tool to implement early actions based on early warning, in this case to better prepare the communities to withstand…
People in rural areas who largely depend on agriculture for their livelihoods are grappling a changing climate and unpredictable weather that are putting an additional strain on food production and increasing food prices, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Gilbert F. Houngbo has said. He made the remarks at a press conference attended by…
