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Deputy News Editor
Government is prioritising the welfare of citizens through provision of affordable, safe and secure housing, security of tenure and access to social safety nets, a Cabinet minister has said.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima said this last week at the 58th Session of the Commission for Social Development in New York.

The session ran from February 10 to 19 under the theme: “Affordable housing and social protection systems for all to address homelessness”.

Prof Mavima said homelessness was a complex challenge every country had to deal with.

For Zimbabwe, he said, the theme was appropriate in view of the devastating tropical Cyclone Idai that killed over 300 people, left thousands homeless and other critical infrastructure in Manicaland Province, mainly Chimanimani and Chipinge, and other parts of Masvingo Province.

He said Cyclone Idai showed the devastating effects of climate change to developing countries.

“Cyclones are just but one manifestation of the effects of climate change in developing countries, whose other effects such as frequent droughts, floods and rising sea levels, combined with political insecurities, armed conflict and rising costs, have not only directly exacerbated homelessness, but have also curtailed the developing world’s efforts in redressing housing challenges and provision of social safety nets,” he said.

“To this end, the Government of Zimbabwe rolled out an elaborate and comprehensive structural reform programme, the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) to stabilise the macro-economy. The TSP contains policy measures to enhance social service delivery, particularly targeting provision of health services, education, and social protection.

“While implementing austerity measures, Government has remained committed to the protection of the most vulnerable, which include the homeless. Cyclone Idai triggered swift Government action, complemented by international partners, local NGOs and the private sector. We saw this triumvirate of Government, the Civil Societal Sector and private companies, working perfectly in unison.

“To protect the most vulnerable households, Zimbabwe has a National Social Protection Policy Framework (NSPPF), which provides a comprehensive framework for social protection. Further, Government has put in place various mechanisms to ensure vulnerable groups have access to social services.

He added: “The mechanisms include a Poverty Alleviation Programme whereby children are assisted with fees to attend primary, secondary and special schools, health assistance to vulnerable groups as a social safety net.

“In the area of child protection, the Government is working with Unicef under the Child Protection Fund, USAID and its partners to provide child protection services to vulnerable households in rural and urban areas under the National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children.”

Prof Mavima said in cooperation with voluntary organisations and the private sector, the Government provides institutional care to destitute older persons who have no shelter.

The social programmes mainstream age as a qualifying criteria, hence older persons are beneficiaries of most of the programmes.

Laws governing the administration of programmes and policies for persons with disabilities have also been enacted. The legislation provides for the provision of rights based social services to people with disabilities, through the establishment of the disabled persons fund.

Said Prof Mavima: “The overall goal of all these policies is to reduce poverty, vulnerability and inequality, while at the same time contributing to enhance access to basic social services.

“The policies provide for various social protection programmes meant to protect vulnerable households from livelihood shocks and disasters.”

He said while progress has been realised since the adoption of the sustainable development goals in 2015, challenges still remain and homelessness remains a growing manifestation of the gaps in efforts, and proof of the resilience of poverty.