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The United States of America’s most senior diplomat in Zimbabwe, Elaine French, has said her country is the biggest bilateral donor in Zimbabwe and has provided nearly US$5 billion to the southern African country since 1980.
Speaking in <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/zim-free-to-trade-with-the-us/">an interview</a> with AB Communications Editor-in-Chief Moses Matenga on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), French, the Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe also said this year, the United States has recommitted the PEPFAR programme with US$209 to support the government of Zimbabwe.
The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is a critical initiative aimed at saving lives, preventing HIV infections, and accelerating progress toward achieving HIV/AIDS pandemic control in more than 50 countries worldwide. Said French:
<blockquote>
I am so proud of the work the US has done especially in the health sector here in Zimbabwe. The United States is actually the biggest bilateral donor in Zimbabwe in particular in the health sector.
Since 1980, the United States has provided nearly US$5bn to the people of Zimbabwe and the vast majority of that has been in health-related issues.
In 1980, at independence, the US made a promise to the people of Zimbabwe to help rebuild the health sector.
That commitment initially was for US$2mn but that US$2mn has actually grown to nearly US$5bn in the last four decades plus.
I think some people might feel that it has diminished in the last years but actually it has since grown. In the last three years alone we have provided a billion dollars to the people of Zimbabwe.
This year we have recommitted the PEPFAR programme with US$209 to support the government of Zimbabwe in terms of addressing and combating the HIV epidemic and this is to support over two million Zimbabweans to live healthier longer lives by provision of Antiretroviral Therapy.
We are not just working in the HIV sphere, we are also giving out support to the Ministry of Health and the government in terms of tackling Tuberculosis and Malaria.
</blockquote>
French also revealed that the U.S. has committed an additional US$11 to assist Zimbabwe to mitigate the effects of the El-induced drought. She said:
<blockquote>
It’s a serious issue and I know it is a serious one for many Zimbabweans. It is not only a serious issue for Zimbabweans but the region as well.
In January, the US committed an additional US$11mn in assistance to some of the most vulnerable people in the country to help them better survive in this difficult period.
That’s an addition to the US$115mn the United States provided in the last five years in the agriculture and food security sectors.
As I mentioned earlier, drought is affecting the entire region and the recent drought declaration by the President, it helps us to look at Zimbabwe and its neighbours and look at how the United States will respond comprehensively to the region.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate has confirmed Pamela Marie Tremont as the country’s new ambassador to Zimbabwe in a Senate vote.
The U.S. has not had an ambassador to Zimbabwe since 2021, when its previous ambassador, Brian Nichols, was reassigned.
The US Embassy in Harare has been overseen by Chargé d’Affaires French since 2022.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

"United States Is Zimbabwe's Biggest Bilateral Donor"

According to the latest report from USAID’s Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET), approximately 9,000 cattle in Zimbabwe have succumbed to drought-related conditions. Additionally, over 1.4 million cattle are currently at high risk due to the scarcity of pasture and water.
FEWSNET has issued a warning that the limited availability of pasture during the dry season is likely to result in higher-than-normal livestock deaths. It said:
<blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, over 9 000 drought-related cattle deaths have been reported, and over 1,4 million cattle were reported as being at high risk of drought conditions and death due to lack of pasture and water.
Water and pasture conditions are expected to be poor, especially in typically low-rainfall areas following cumulatively below-average rainfall that has limited pasture regeneration throughout the rainy season.
Poor livestock body conditions, particularly for cattle, will likely lead to higher-than-normal livestock deaths in the dry season as the limited pastures deplete and high prices limit access to supplementary feeds.
</blockquote>
The agency said an increase in human-wildlife conflicts is expected in some areas bordering parks and forests as wild animals seek water and food among communities.
It further asserted that there was an urgent need for comprehensive national assessments of crop conditions, livestock health, and overall livelihood impacts of the extended dry conditions. FewsNet said:
<blockquote>
These assessments are crucial for accurately determining the extent of damage and areas requiring immediate intervention and will not only guide targeted relief efforts but also inform policy development and programme implementation aimed at enhancing agricultural resilience. Further, Member States need to start preparing for in-depth assessments that will inform responses.
</blockquote>
Southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, is experiencing extreme weather patterns due to climate change and El Nino.
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon characterized by the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
In Southern Africa, El Niño tends to bring drier and warmer conditions. Reduced rainfall during El Niño events exacerbates droughts, affects crop yields, and impacts water availability.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

9 000 Cattle Succumb To Drought-related Conditions

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a US$2 million contribution from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support more than 2 000 vulnerable families in three urban areas over the next year.
Under the initiative, WFP will create assets and develop transformative skills that will improve vulnerable families’ and communities’ access to livelihood opportunities.
Targeted communities will benefit from community-shared assets such as greenhouses, and income-generation activities.
As part of the programme, WFP will provide internal savings and lending (ISAL) training to boost financial literacy among participants while the youth will undertake digital and vocational skills development training. USAID Acting Mission Director Priscilla Sampil said:
<blockquote>
The Urban Resilience program will improve the ability of these urban households to meet their basic food and nutrition needs while reducing the negative coping strategies and need for urgent assistance.
This is our third round of USAID funding to the World Food Programme’s Urban Resilience Program, demonstrating the U.S. government’s commitment to tackling food insecurity and poverty in urban areas.
</blockquote>
Approximately 1.5 million people living in urban areas are food insecure according to the latest government assessments.
People who live in urban areas have fewer opportunities for subsistence livelihoods compared to rural areas.
As a result, most urban residents live hand-to-mouth, working multiple jobs in the informal sector.
Unless assistance is provided urgently, people will continue to face constraints due to economic challenges as a result of inflation and rising food costs. 
Francesca Erdelmann, the WFP Representative and Country Director, said:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwean cities are growing and face the challenge to provide decent livelihoods for their dwellers.
With USAID’s support, we will continue supporting income-generating activities while working with national and local institutions to advance policies and social protection for the urban poor.
</blockquote>
Since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, the United States has invested nearly $4.5 billion in Zimbabwe through initiatives to enhance food security, support economic resilience, improve health outcomes, and promote democratic governance.
USAID’s latest contribution to WFP’s food and resilience activities in Zimbabwe brings the total contributions from the United States to over US$8.9 million this year.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

USAID Extends US$2 Million To WFP To Address Urban Food Insecurity In Zimbabwe

The USAID Resilience Anchors has provided a clean water point for villagers in Ward 23 in Nyangambe village 2, Chiredzi, who were forced to travel long distances in search of safe water sources.
More than 600 inhabitants of the dry and arid community of Nyangambe valley conservancy were exposed to attacks by wildlife due to the long distances they had to travel to fetch water from open ponds, exposing them to waterborne diseases.
The installation of a solar-powered water point for the community by the USAID Resilience Anchors has been a boon for villagers.
The boreholes were installed as part of efforts to improve access to water for multi-purpose use and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Svodai Musaingira (46), who came to the area as a bride many years ago, told <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/news/article/200009274/water-project-offers-lifeline-for-arid-chiredzi-communities">Southern Eye</a> that they had been prone to wildlife attacks within the conservancy. She said:
<blockquote>
Before the start of this project, we had to walk over 5km in the early hours of the morning in search of water.
We would come back with large buckets of water on our heads so we would be able to sustain our families.
We have also been prone to attacks by wildlife within the conservancy as they would come out in their numbers to terrorise us.
But looking at it from another angle they would also be in search of clean water to drink.
We were frequently exposed to cholera because we would get water from dirty ponds, which animals such as dogs also relied on.
We now have access to clean water therefore we no longer have cases of cholera outbreaks.
</blockquote>
Another beneficiary of the project, Canias Chikamhi (53) who is the chairperson of the Nyangambe water point said:
<blockquote>
The water situation in our community was so bad that it was difficult for someone to access at least 20 litres of water.
We were happy when the Resilience Anchors came in and offered to help out with our situation.
Parents had to walk as long as 5km in search of water. Those distances could only be accessed by those with scotch carts. Children would also misbehave with those scotch carts leading to accidents.
Since we now have access to clean and potable water, we have not yet come across cases of cholera in the present day.
I cannot specifically remember how many years it has been since we experienced cholera, maybe six years back.
</blockquote>
Cases of human-wildlife conflict have been on the rise in recent years and this has been attributed to a population increase of both humans and wildlife, the effects of climate change, deforestation, illegal cutting of grass, and general mismanagement of natural resources.
Nyangambe Wildlife conservancy vice chairperson Joram Mutovo told Southern Eye said the water point project has greatly reduced human and wildlife conflict.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

USAID Water Project A Boon For Dry Chiredzi Communities

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), a food security arm of the USAID, has predicted above-normal rainfall for March.
In its latest food security outlook covering the February to September 2023 period, FEWS NET noted that during January and February, most northern areas of the country received good rainfall. 
However, in most southern areas, especially Masvingo, Matabeleland South, parts of Manicaland and Midlands and also <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Matabeleland_North_Province">Matabeleland North Province</a>, rainfall was erratic and poorly distributed. FEWS NET said in its update:
<blockquote>
Normal to above-normal rainfall is expected across the country through March, which is likely to support average crop production if it is well distributed across the remainder of the season. Crop recovery is expected in typical deficit-producing areas that recorded earlier dry spells. However, affected areas may record lower-than-expected yields.
The 2022/23 cropped area for maize and small grains in some southern areas is likely to be below last year, though likely near-normal. The potential area reflects poor rainfall progression in some areas, as well as access challenges to crop inputs. Crop input prices are expected to remain significantly above average both in United States dollars (US$) and Zimbabwe dollars (Zim dollar).
</blockquote>
<h2>Also in the update:</h2>
<blockquote>
1). After the harvest in April/May, maize grain prices are expected to drop before rising through September as own-produced stocks deplete and market demand rises.
2). Parallel market exchange rates will keep Zim dollar maize prices above normal in most markets throughout the projection period.
3). Maize meal supply across the country is expected to be normal throughout the outlook period. 
4). Commercial millers are likely to continue relying on either <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Grain_Marketing_Board">GMB</a> purchases or their own imports of maize grain through March/April.
5). With the start of the harvests in April, maize grain imports are likely to stop or be suspended. The government is likely to maintain the suspension of maize meal imports instituted in November 2022 to protect local millers from cheap imports.
6). Agricultural labour opportunities are expected to improve with the favourable rainfall forecast through March across the country, but liquidity challenges and the below-normal 2022 harvest will limit cash and in-kind payments.
7). Water access and availability for livestock and other livelihoods are expected to improve across the country through the end of the rainy season. However, rivers and reservoirs in some drier parts of the country are expected to be below normal levels, negatively impacting availability and access during the dry season.
8). Beyond the rainy season, pasture conditions in arid areas are likely to quickly deteriorate. 
9). Livestock disease prevalence will likely remain high due to above-average prices and limited access to drugs. 
10). Income from livestock sales will continue to be impacted by liquidity challenges, poor demand, and poor care practices that impact livestock body conditions.
</blockquote>
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

USAID Has Predicted Above-normal Rainfall For March

USAid Zimbabwe acting mission director Priscilla Sampil said that any law passed by the Zimbabwean government that restricts the operations of Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) and NGOs will negatively affect vulnerable people.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200006897/senate-passes-pvos-billas-usaid-warns-of-funding-threat">NewsDay</a> on Thursday after the Senate passed the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) Amendment Bill, Sampil said USAid has provided US$4.5 billion in support to Zimbabwe since 1980. She said:
<blockquote>
USAID remains committed to working with and supporting the people of Zimbabwe through assistance programs that promote a more resilient, inclusive, and democratic society.
This work is conducted through international partners as well as local PVOs and NGOs to ensure they benefit the people in need.
Without commenting on the contents of any proposed legislation, we note that anything that restricts the ability of these organisations to operate, and anything that creates a sense of trepidation or uncertainty among them, is likely to be unhelpful.
USAID has provided over $4.5 billion in assistance to Zimbabwe since 1980. US investments of more than $1.3 billion since 2006 to fight HIV and AIDS have contributed to an 80% decline in the annual number of HIV-related deaths.
</blockquote>
The PVOs Amendment Bill now awaits President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s assent to become law.
The Bill has been criticised by opposition parties and civic groups who argued that it will restrict the democratic space.
The proposed law will reportedly give broad powers to the government to control the operations of civil society organisations (CSOs).

PVOs Amendment Bill... Enacting Restrictive Laws Unhelpful, Says USAID

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has today [20 October 2022] contributed US$36.7 million on behalf of the American people to help the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) provide food assistance at the peak of the lean season between October and March next year.
In a year marked by COVID-19, climatic shocks, and food and fuel price hikes, the contribution will help WFP provide assistance to some 700 000 people in eight districts in Zimbabwe: Bikita, Buhera, Chivi, Hwedza, Mangwe, Mt. Darwin, Mudzi and Nkayi.
To cope during the lean season – the period between household food stock depletion and the next harvest – rural Zimbabweans often reduce the number of quality meals consumed daily and borrow or sell their productive assets.
Food assistance will help mitigate these negative coping strategies and stop the most vulnerable from sliding further into food insecurity.
The latest estimates from the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) report, coordinated by the Food and Nutrition Council, show that some 3.8 million people will not have enough cereal to eat during the peak of the upcoming lean season.
With the contributions from USAID and other donors, WFP will complement the national Food Deficit Mitigation Programme and distribute food in partnership with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to 3.8 million people. Said United States Mission Chargé d’ Affaires Elaine French:
<blockquote>
Achieving food security during Zimbabwe’s lean season is always challenging. Geopolitical events on the other side of the world have made it even more so this year. But the United States of America is ready to assist.
Today, I am happy to announce US$36.7 million for 2022/23 Lean Season Assistance funding provided by the U.S. Government for the people of Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
<h2>Toward more resilient communities</h2>
To break the cycle of relapsing into food crises, USAID is aware that more investments are needed in resilience-building and early warning systems.
The chances that Zimbabwean smallholder farmers fall repeatedly into food insecurity decrease if they have access to productive assets and can save, borrow and lend money.
The U.S. Government has also pledged an additional US$9 million towards WFP’s food assistance for assets program in 2023.
Through this initiative, WFP will provide lifesaving food in exchange for work on community assets like feeder roads, community gardens, dams and irrigation systems.
The community-centred approach also promotes nutrition, gender equality, and social protection. Roberto Borlini, WFP Head of Programme in the country, said:
<blockquote>
WFP and the United States are committed to supporting humanitarian and social assistance for those who need it most in Zimbabwe.
While we will provide short-term assistance during this lean season, we will also continue creating livelihood opportunities, to increase the purchasing power of families, enabling them to meet their food needs.
</blockquote>
The latest contribution brings the total funding from USAID to WFP activities to US$44.2 million for 2022.
The United States remains the largest bilateral donor of emergency humanitarian assistance in Zimbabwe.

USAID and WFP Join Hands As Lean Season Sets-in Rural Zimbabwe

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says it has established modalities to ensure that the allocation of food aid is not politicised in rural areas ahead of the 2023 general elections.
USAID on Thursday gave the World Food Programme (WFP) US$36 million worth of food aid that will be distributed to people living in rural areas who are facing food shortages.
USAID director for Humanitarian Assistance and Resilience, Marialice Ariens, said they are working with WFP and Government to make sure food aid reaches the needy. She said:
<blockquote>
The United States government takes targeting seriously. We have key beneficiary criteria when we decide who we are going to assist.
WFP also has a validation exercise, so a follow-up post the initial target to make sure that the people targeted are indeed the most vulnerable will be done.
</blockquote>
Opposition political parties have on numerous occasions accused ZANU PF of withholding food aid from perceived opposition supporters as a form of punishment and using the same to reward those who vote for the ruling party.
According to WFP, 3 million Zimbabweans are projected to face acute food shortage in the first quarter of 2023 owing to poor rainfall during the 2021/22 summer cropping season.
WFP head of programmes in Zimbabwe, Roberto Borlini said they will continue working in collaboration with the United States of America to support those in need of assistance. Said Borlini:
<blockquote>
WFP and the United States are committed to supporting humanitarian and social assistance for those who need it in Zimbabwe.
While we will provide short-term assistance during this lean season, we will also continue creating livelihood opportunities, to increase the purchasing power of families, enabling them to meet their food needs.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/usaid-wary-of-food-politicisation/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

USAID Pledges To Guard Against Politicisation Of Food Aid

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has injected US$5 million to help fight social, political and economic challenges faced by youths in Zimbabwe.
USAID, in partnership with Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT),  Youth Advisory Board, and youth-led committees, are working to support young people build their skills and improving the business enabling environment.
Speaking to journalists Wednesday in Harare, the coordinator for USAID’s Local Works Zimbabwe Youth Program, Bigbouy Chikwavarara, said the program seeks to support youth entrepreneurship development. <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/usaid-injects-millions-to-support-youth-entrepreneurs/">He told NewZimbabwe.com:</a>
<blockquote>
Through the Local Works Zimbabwe Program, USAID supports young entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses to generate jobs and incomes in both the formal and informal sectors of the Zimbabwean economy.
This is a US$5 million project which will seek to support youth so that they can start and grow their enterprises.
We really believe that this is necessary at this point in time and we know that USAID alone cannot do it , so we are believing that collaboration action is the way to go.
</blockquote>
He added that lots of young people had brilliant ideas that can transform communities if they get the requisite support. 
YETT director, Rosewita Katsande said they were keen on identifying locally, sustainable youth-led solutions that can then be implemented.
Reports have indicated that the country’s unemployment rate now stands above 85%.
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USAID Injects US$5 Million To Fight Socio-economic, Political, Issues Affecting Zim Youths

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received US$5.7 million from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support people experiencing vulnerability to food insecurity across urban and rural areas.
This brings USAID’s contributions to over US$45 million over the last year.
Urban populations will benefit from the contribution through WFP’s Urban Resilience Building Programme which aims to reach up to 140,000 households across 19 urban domains. 
Additionally, 14 000 rural households in eight districts will receive support through WFP’s Food Assistance for Assets Programme. Both programmes will develop community skills and create assets to better prepare communities with sustainable livelihood 
opportunities – and improve their capacity to cope with shocks such as COVID-19 and climate change. Said USAID Acting Mission Director Zeb Simpson:
<blockquote>
The United States will continue to bring critical food assistance to the most vulnerable Zimbabweans. At the same time, we are working to equip households and communities with the skills and resources they need to overcome the shocks and challenges they face.
</blockquote>
The situation is of particular concern in urban areas, where 42 per cent of the population are estimated to be food insecure, many impacted by the loss of informal jobs. 
Innovative projects like hydroponics will be established in and around cities- which encourages food production through environmentally sustainable techniques. This will empower communities with the tools required to grow and sell food to generate income as many urban livelihoods have been devastated by COVID-19. 
Complementary skills building will also be provided to communities such as financial literacy, vocational and digital skills, marketing and micro-business management training.
The rural resilience activities will support community-based asset building, promote village savings and lending groups, and provide training on improving crop storage conditions to reduce harvest loss. In exchange for participation, food assistance will be provided to supplement shortfalls during the upcoming lean season. 
<h2>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

USAID Donates US$5.7 Million To WFP For Vulnerable People In Zimbabwe

Opposition MDC Alliance led by Mr Nelson Chamisa has frowned upon the recently gazetted Private Voluntary Organisation Amendment Bill which seeks to ban Non-Governmental Organisations from political lobbying. 
The party’s Secretary-General, Chalton Hwende, said the bill was targeted at the opposition party. He said:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwe is now a fully-fledged Dictatorship. Laws are being created targeted at only the MDC Alliance and President @nelsonchamisa . NGOs to be barred from political lobbying.
</blockquote>
Last week the Clerk of Parliament, Mr Kennedy Chokuda, gazetted the Bill that seeks to among other things penalise non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that dabble in politics.
The Bill seeks to amend section 10 of the principal by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (e) as follows — 
<blockquote>
(e1) when any private voluntary organisation that supports or opposes any political party or candidate in a presidential, parliamentary or local government election or is a party to any breach of section 7 under Part III of the Political Parties (Finance) Act [Chapter 2:12] as a contributor of funds to a political party or candidate or otherwise shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of level twelve or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or both such fine or such imprisonment.
</blockquote>
Ahead of the 2023 polls, the United States of America, through USAID, had set aside US$5 million to fund NGOs for the “promotion of the rule of law, constitutionalism and democracy.”
Opposition MDC-T leader, Mr Douglas Mwonzora said the country should make use of laws such as the Political Parties Finance Act to stop foreigners from funding political activism through NGOs. He said:
<blockquote>
Our position is that there must be minimal interference with the work of civil society organisations, they provide the necessary checks and balances on possible government excesses. But we have laws such as the Political Parties Finance Act, which proscribes foreign funding and that has to be used.
</blockquote>
MDC Alliance was stripped of rights to the funding provided under the Political Parties Finance Act it was “entitled” to following the 2018 elections. 
The funds are being received by the MDC-T which was declared the legitimate beneficiary by a 2019 Supreme Court ruling on the MDC leadership wrangle.
MDC Alliance has allegedly been getting funding from members, wellwishers and some Western states to fund its operations.  
Meanwhile, ZANU PF’s chief whip Mr Pupurai Togarepi said the ruling party will swiftly pass the Bill into law to close the door on delinquent activities in the NGOs.
Government has in the past accused NGOs of abandoning their mandates by pursuing a political agenda in support of regime change. 
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/bill-set-to-scuttle-mdc-a-election-plans/">The Herald</a>

MDC Alliance Responds To Bill Which Bans NGOs From Political Lobbying

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has availed about US$2m to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) towards livelihood support for vulnerable and disaster-prone communities in Zimbabwe.
According to a joint statement by USAid and IOM released on Wednesday, the project funded to the tune of US$1 993 499, will run until November next year.
The project will provide psychosocial support and income-generating activities that will reintegrate and build resilience for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees.
It is also expected to assist host communities in Masvingo, Manicaland and Matabeleland South provinces. IOM said:
<blockquote>
This support is in addition to the USAID-supported project in Manicaland already providing transitional shelter and camp coordination and camp management assistance for Cyclone Idai survivors.
</blockquote>
The UN agency says over 300 000 Zimbabweans have returned to the country due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 
It added that insufficient solutions and resources have resulted in long-term displacements and reinforced the need for an additional emergency response to address basic household needs.
The project will support 3 600 vulnerable households (15 480 individuals), including IDPs, returnees, and host communities.
IOM Zimbabwe Chief of mission Mario Lito Malanca welcomed the support from USAID and said leaving IDPs and migrants in continued deprivation, without the prospect of a durable solution, is a humanitarian concern and also an obstacle to long-term peace, recovery, and reconstruction. 
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/10/us2m-for-displaced-zimbos/">NewsDay</a>

USAID Donates US$2 Million For Displaced Zimbabweans

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Local Works Zimbabwe Youth Program, a US$5 million economic empowerment initiative.
This youth-led initiative is premised at creating economic opportunities to address issues such as youth unemployment, and rising poverty by increasing incomes.
Speaking at the Local Works Zimbabwe Stakeholder Meeting held on October 7, USAID/Zimbabwe Mission Director Art Brown said:
<blockquote>USAID would like young people to take the driver’s seat. Our approach under the Local Works program is slightly different from the traditional method of development program design and implementation.
We want you as young people to take the lead in defining and addressing the diverse challenges you face so that we support you to meet your social and economic needs.</blockquote>
Through the Local Works Zimbabwe, USAID will facilitate the creation of a collaborative action network of local actors, promote multi-stakeholder dialogue, generate cross-sectoral partnerships, and discover sustainable collaborative solutions to the most pressing challenges identified by Zimbabwean youth.
USAID will also support young Zimbabweans, along with other local actors – communities, youth networks, organizations, private sector, and others – to set their own development agenda, develop solutions, and ultimately, make those solutions a reality.
The agency aims to facilitate the design of the Local Works Zimbabwe Youth Program and support the establishment of a Youth Advisory Board, which will oversee the design and implementation of this initiative.
USAID also intends to engage the private sector, including identifying opportunities for co-design and co-financing of activities, all while promoting innovation and increased economic opportunities for the youth.
Zimbabwean youths, like women and people with disabilities, remain more vulnerable to the bumps of life mainly because they do not own means of production.
More: <a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2020/10/07/us-government-launches-us5-mln-initiative-to-expand-economic-opportunities-for-zim-youth/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=us-government-launches-us5-mln-initiative-to-expand-economic-opportunities-for-zim-youth&amp;utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=us-government-launches-us5-mln-initiative-to-expand-economic-opportunities-for-zim-youth" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Health Times</a>

USA Launches $5m Initiative To Empower Zim Youths

The USAID has said that Zimbabweans are now spending more of their incomes on food as prices continue increasing.  
This was said by Jason Taylor the USAID chief office humanitarian assistance and resilience in Zimbabwe. Taylor was speaking at a public discussion forum on the economic decline and food insecurity crisis in Zimbabwe held in Washington DC, US, last Wednesday. Taylor said:
<blockquote>We have experienced in Zimbabwe a steady macroeconomic deterioration for a period of years and things are now just starting to bite. This deterioration is categorised most recently by price spikes, which immediately followed fiscal and monetary policies implemented by the government last October. We have seen price increases for imported goods that are exacerbated by the falling value of the local currency.
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Inflation is now at 66,8% as of March. This is the official rate and this is up from 59,4% in February, a significant increase in one month. Informal estimates are much higher, so no matter how you are looking at it, it is not a good picture. This inflation impact is severe for ordinary Zimbabweans who have seen prices rise, but wages are not keeping up.
Even if wages are rising, they are not competing with the prices that we are seeing… So, in 2016, the average poor household in urban areas spent 28% of their income on food. In 2018, that had risen to 44%. Let me let that sink in a bit. Twenty eight percent to 44%, that is a startling increase, and yet household dietary diversity is worse. So, put bluntly, people are spending more on food, but they are eating worse.</blockquote>
Prices of commodities continue rising unabated. The business community attributes the price hikes to the scarcity of foreign currency which is needed for importation of goods. Meanwhile, the government and the ruling ZANU PF have been sending threats to businesses. They argue that the business sector is deliberately raising prices to effect regime change.
Things started falling apart after the government introduced austerity measures which among other things introduced the infamous 2% tax.
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<h3>Related:</h3>
<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/05/02/international-labour-organisation-denounces-austerity-measures/" rel="bookmark">International Labour Organisation Denounces Austerity Measures</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/05/03/austerity-will-result-in-more-money-in-your-pocket-mthuli-ncube/" rel="bookmark">Austerity Will Result In More Money In Your Pocket – Mthuli Ncube</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/04/25/government-to-drop-austerity-measures-next-year-after-the-economy-recovers/" rel="bookmark">Government To Drop Austerity Measures Next Year After The Economy Recovers</a></li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/05/zimbabweans-eating-less-as-economy-deteriorates/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a>

USAID: People Are Spending More On Food, But They Are Eating Worse

The United State Embassy alleged that there was possible misuse and diversion of funds by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). This comes after the United States Agency for International Development USAID cut its funding to Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), Election Resource Centre (ERC) and Counselling Services Unit (CSU). USAID also demanded that all the CSOs should return money that they had not used. Writing on Twitter, the Embassy said,
<blockquote>We remain committed to assisting the people of Zimbabwe and invest millions of dollars each year to support a wide range of programs to benefit them. Attempts to divert U.S. funds from their intended use is unacceptable under any circumstances #USZim
Earlier this year, as a result of regular internal oversight, USAID became aware of the possible misuse of U.S. assistance funding.
When USAID learned of the situation, an investigation was immediately launched and several issues were brought to light. Those issues have been dealt with accordingly.
The investigation remains open.</blockquote>

US Embassy Speaks On Cutting Aid To CSOs, Says There Was "Possible Misuse Of U.S. Assistance"

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