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Elita Chikwati Senior Reporter
The United Nations (UN) has reformed its system in Zimbabwe, with its 15 agencies operating in the country bringing their programmes under the resident coordinator, who will ensure there is accountability and efficiency.

The changes were effected yesterday when former leader of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Mr Bishow Parajuli presented his credentials as the new head of all UN agencies to President Mnangagwa at State House.

Mr Parajuli now reports directly to UN secretary-general Mr Antonio Guterres, and the changes are part of broader reforms taking place within the world body.

The UN agencies that will come under him include UNDP, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Labour Organisation (ILO), World Food Programme, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and World Health Organisation (WHO).

Mr Parajuli was accompanied to State House by heads of the UN agencies who included UNFPA’s Dr Esther Mula, Ms Hopolang Phororo of ILO, Mr Eddie Rowe of FAO, Dr Mohamed Ayoya of UNICEF, Mr Robert Tibagwa of UNHCR, Professor Hubert Gijzen of UNESCO, Dr Alex Gasasira of WHO and UNWOMEN representative Ms Delphine Serumaga.

In an interview after the meeting, Mr Parajuli said the new system would improve coordination of UN work for the improvement of livelihoods of the people in Zimbabwe.

“As resident coordinator, I report directly to the UN secretary-general,” he said.

“Now, there is more effort to coordinate the work.

“In the past, I had also combined with the UNDP, but now the resident coordinator works with every agency to maximise on impact. There is an element of mutual accountability between the UN team and resident coordinator supports the team work to maximise the work we identify as a country priority.”

Mr Parajuli said he was humbled to steer the UN work in Zimbabwe.

“This was an honour and humble opportunity for me and head of programmes and agencies to present credentials to His Excellency; with me as the resident coordinator,” he said.

“We had a great chance to exchange notes with His Excellency on what the UN is doing in Zimbabwe.

“We are currently working on over $440 million worth of programmes in areas of poverty reduction, food and agriculture, nutrition, health, education, HIV, gender, as well as issues of governance.

“His Excellency is well aware, and our effort is always to help Zimbabwean people to the best way we can; to improve their livelihoods, and to bring a sustainable solution and address some of the challenges.”

Mr Parajuli said he discussed with the President about food security in the country.

On January 1 this year, the UN system embarked on a global reform of transformation, with a reinvigorated and new resident co-ordinator system that culminated in Mr Parajuli’s appointment in Zimbabwe.

Prior to this appointment to lead the newly reformed UN system in Zimbabwe, Mr Parajuli had been working as UN resident coordinator and UNDP representative since September 2014.