Zimpapers Logo

 Ashley Phiri, [email protected] 

A JOINT initiative between the Government and its partners including the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Dan Church Aid (DCA) has been hailed as a lifeline for residents in urban areas who have not been spared from the effects of the El Niño-induced drought.

The project, which saw beneficiaries receiving 50 chicks each in 2022 and undergoing vocational training, did not only provide immediate relief but also empowered them to build sustainable livelihoods.

The timeous intervention has been instrumental in cushioning the impact of the drought on communities. With dwindling food supplies becoming increasingly common, the beneficiaries have expressed their gratitude for the support.

On Monday, the Chronicle news crew spoke to some of the beneficiaries in Bulawayo.

Ms Loveness Sibanda (27) of Lobengula suburb said through the project, she has managed to buy a residential stand and expand her business ventures.

 “This project came at a time when we were struggling to put food on the table. When WFP and DCA asked which project I wanted to start, I immediately chose poultry because I was in the business of selling chicken cuts,” she said.

“My business has since grown and I can take care of my family especially now when the country has been hit by a drought with food prices rising.”

Ms Sibanda supplies retailers and caterers as well as her neighbours. She said as the business continues to grow, she intends to target retail giants.

Her fowl run can accommodate 300 chickens at a given time.

Beyond the poultry project, the beneficiaries have undergone vocational training in various fields, equipping them with skills to diversify their income streams. Ms Sibanda has ventured into baking and she has employed three people from her neighbourhood.

Neighbours who are into farming also collect manure from Ms Sibanda’s home and others buy the feathers to make pillows.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Fungai Zeka has established a thriving grain-selling business. She imports grain from neighbouring Zambia and Mozambique for resale. She said this has not only improved her own family’s livelihood but also benefited the broader community.

“The training we received has been invaluable as it has opened our eyes to new possibilities and to become more self-reliant. It is not only our families that are benefitting, but our community as well because I sell to them at wholesale price,” she said.

In addition to the chickens and vocational training, the beneficiaries continue to receive a monthly food allowance of US$13 per person. This financial assistance helps them meet basic family needs. 

United Nations (UN) Climate Crisis Co-ordinator for the El Niño / La Niña Response, Ms Reena Ghelani last week visited some of the programmes that the Government and the UN are doing to help the communities affected by drought.

She also met women in urban areas who have been given support by the UN as well as the Government to build livelihoods.

“They are building businesses for themselves and they are completely self-sufficient and independent today. I think there is a lesson to be learnt here. One thing that the Government did was declare an emergency earlier on and that allowed a trigger of action also from the UN in support,” said Ms Ghelani.

She commended Government for declaring drought a state of disaster, saying early interventions save lives.