Western regional block that put Zimbabwean personnel under sanctions is supporting the African country with a new package of €53 million in the field of health and resilience building.
European Union imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe siting human rights abuses during Robert Mugabe’s administration and the embargoes have continued in the President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s reign on an argument that the African country has not reformed from the ways of the past government.
The field of health in the African country is currently life-threatening with doctors on an industrial action demanding salary raise, in the backdrop of equipment shortage in public hospitals and clinics.
Economically, Zimbabwe is facing challenges with inflation rising and the cost of living going up due to price hikes.
Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica said that the new package of €53 million is another testimony of EU’s unwavering support to the people of Zimbabwe.
“In a difficult socio-economic time, we will strengthen our support to critical sectors such as primary health care as well as resilience building, Mimica said.
“This new package brings the EU development portfolio to €287 million for the period 2014-2020 and confirms the status of the EU and its Member States as the biggest donors in Zimbabwe.”
The block has already mobilised €14.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe this year.
The package is to support the primary care health system capacity to address the most urgent health needs according to the European Commission.
It will also strengthen national health systems and promote equal access to health services, notably from a gender perspective.
Funds will be channelled through UNICEF-managed Health Development Fund.
Women and the poor who cannot afford private health facilities have been the most disadvantaged as Zimbabwe’s health crisis persists.
In terms of resilience building, the package will support households and communities that are facing recurrent environmental and economic stresses by building their capacities to respond to food and nutrition security shocks the Commission reveals.
UNDP will lead in the implementation through partners, predominantly NGOs.
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