US avails US$54m to Zim
SYDNEY SAIZE IN MUTARE
The United States has has launched a US$54 million partnership with the government of Zimbabwe to help save lives of vulnerable children, young girls and women in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.
The programmes that fall under DREAMS, will support, maintain, advocate, reduce risk and transform (SMART) girls, and the other focusing on sustaining preventing and increasing access to care and empowerment for orphans and vulnerable children, (SPACE).
Launching the two programmes on Monday in Mutare, the US’s acting ambassador to Zimbabwe, Elaine French, said her government has in the past 13 years contributed more than US$$1bn towards the HIV prevention, care and treatment services.
She said more work was required to control HIV and to make sure that people with the condition can live safely and in dignity.
“It also should be noted that the launch of these two programmes comes in October which is when we celebrate the “International Day of the Girl” as we seek to improving the welfare of girls and young women. This development is crucial if Zimbabwe is to achieve its goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2030,” French said.
“As a longstanding development partner, the US government wants to help Zimbabwe achieve that goal.”
She said the great work of SMART girls was underway and a continuation of a broader initiative using the holistic DREAMS model which ensures recipients become determined, resilient, empowered, AIDS-free, mentored and safe.
“Many adolescent girls and women lack a full range of opportunities as they often face gender based bias and violence. Social isolation, economic disadvantages, discriminatory cultural norms, orphanhood, gender based violence and dropping out of school all contribute to girls’ vulnerability.
“Since 2015, the DREAMS initiative has changed how we work together to ensure an AIDS-free nation,” French said.
The implementing partner, the Family Aids Caring Trust (FACT) Zimbabwe board chairperson, Dr Geoff Foster said the projects will be implemented in Makoni, Mutare, Chipinge, Buhera, Gutu, Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Chivi in Masvingo districts.
He said FACT Zimbabwe will work in partnership with Population Solutions for Health Batwana Zimbabwe, ZAAP Trust, Rujeko Home based Care Programme, Christian Blind and Pact Incl.
“As we launch the two projects, we want to take this opportunity to share our accomplishments on the just ended Children Tariro and DREAMS projects. All these efforts are made to sustain the HIV pandemic control as we get to the 95-95-95 UNAIDS targets by complementing the government’s efforts,” Foster said.
FACT Zimbabwe’s programming focuses on HIV prevention, care, treatment, protection, of orphans and vulnerable children, livelihoods and research. It was formed 35 years ago and Dr Foster was its founder.
Under the DREAMS programme at least 60 000 deserving girls and women have benefitted.
Through the Orphans Vulnerable Children, a five year programme which a follow up of previous mechanisms has reached to 172 000 orphans, vulnerable children and families at its peak.