THE Netherlands has taken part of its global water crisis solutions to major cities in Zimbabwe working with various authorities across the country to solve the challenges, NewsDay can report.
Speaking during the Wetskills Foundation researchers pitch finals presentations and awards event held in the Bulawayo this week, the Dutch ambassador to Zimbabwe Margret Verwijk confirmed the country’s assistance to Zimbabwe’s water and climate alleviation programmes.
Verwijk said the Netherlands was supporting Zimbabwe through funding projects that were being carried out in Masvingo, Mutare, Bulawayo and Harare.
“Now today, the Netherlands is the leader in water management and sanitation globally. It is also trusted in water initiatives worldwide,” she said.
“Here in Zimbabwe, the Dutch support includes farming community irrigation schemes in Masvingo province through the Green Climate Fund.
“We are also working with Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare on long-term water projects. The water utilities from the Netherlands support water utilities with technical systems in different cities.”
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Verwijk said the embassy was also working with local civil society organisations in an attempt to conserve and harvest water.
She said Wetskills would offers practical solutions to real world water challenges that impacted Bulawayo and Zimbabwe.
The reseachers from Wetskills Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in the Netherlands, were working on finding a lasting solution to the water crisis bedevilling Bulawayo.
They submitted their research findings on Tuesday.
The team researched on enhancing Bulawayo’s preparedness and resilience to drought and won the award of the best pitch and research.
Bulawayo is facing the worst water crisis in years with the local authority implementing 144 hours of water-shedding.