Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The Government of Japan has availed $1,5 million to Zimbabwe to benefit communities around Zvishavane and Mwenezi Districts through the Productive Assets Creation programmes. The grant was channelled through the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to enable vulnerable people to develop community assets in the country, including irrigation and water harvesting systems.

These are expected to help improve livelihoods and sustainable food security in Zvishavane and Mwenezi Districts. It is understood that WFP and the government of Japan and Mwenezi Development Training Centre (MDTC), are supporting 17 projects in eight wards in Mwenezi District, where 2,825 people are engaged in various work on the assets.

WFP country director, Mr Eddie Rowe, said in a statement on Wednesday that under Productive Asset Creation programme that was launched in June this year, participants worked on community projects that promoted self-reliance, reduced disaster risk and support climate change adaptation. “Japan’s contribution not only helps us meet people’s immediate food needs, but also helps provide the most vulnerable with a means to cope with shocks such as drought,” he said.

Mr Rowe said since 2012, WFP had helped create nearly a thousand community assets in more than 25 rural districts. He said this year they were implementing the asset creation activities in a total of 10 priority districts across the country. Japan’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Yoshinobu Hiraishi said his country was one of the largest donors in Zimbabwe, adding that since 2010, they had provided more than $43 million in humanitarian and development assistance through WFP and other agencies.

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