OVER 8 600 individuals and 33 700 livestock in Chiredzi, Masvingo province, are set to benefit from a drought and response adaptation programme worth US$960 000 funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAid).
The year-long programme, which will be spearheaded by the Mwenezi Development Training Centre (MDTC), aims to enhance access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.
Additionally, it will focus on improving livestock productivity, accessing markets and increasing incomes to mitigate the challenges these communities are facing due to the El Niño-induced drought.
“The main initiatives will involve rehabilitating 15 boreholes, with nine converted to solar power, thereby improving access to clean water for both households and livestock. This means women and girls will no longer walk long distances to collect water,” MDTC said in a statement.
"To support long-term sustainability, the project will provide training for water point user committees and community members who manage the use of the pump, on the operation and maintenance of the water points.
“The project will promote good sanitation and hygiene among 750 individuals, establish 15 community health clubs and promote latrine construction at household levels to reduce open defecation.”
MDTC said the project will support on- and off-farm livelihood opportunities for marginalised people such as women, youth, the elderly and people living with disabilities.
“It aims to engage 225 participants through village savings and loan associations. These individuals will receive training in financial literacy, focusing on managing public funds from water point user committees and community health clubs. The funds generated will be used for repairing and maintaining water points and constructing latrines,” the statement reads.
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MDTC will implement the project in wards 10, 13 and 15 of Chiredzi district.
“MDTC is proud to be the first local non-governmental organisation to receive successive awards from USAID. MDTC is grateful for the continued support and partnership with USAid, which has enabled it to improve the livelihoods of thousands of vulnerable families in Chiredzi,” the statement concludes.
MDTC is a local organisation that strives to enhance food security and build resilience of the vulnerable rural households through integrated and participatory approaches.
Chiredzi is a vast, semi-arid and drought-prone area downstream of the Save and Runde catchments with altitude generally below 500m above mean sea level.
