Harare, 12 July 2012. Attending to persons living with HIV at the Harare Central Hospital Opportunistic Infection (OI) clinic, Dr. Tapuwa Bwakura, a consultant physician who doubles as the head of medicine and adult OI clinic rummages through the stack of thick, old files containing patient profiles and other data. It’s a laborious exercise in one of the busiest OI clinics in the country, with an estimated 200 client consultations daily.

But the doctor is unfazed by the huge workload, saying that though electronic filing system would make his work easier, he can count on the “excellent” team work from colleagues, determined to help the country deal with the scourge of Aids in the country. “We can cope” quips the doctor, with a smile on his face.

The clinic is supported by the UNDP-managed Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), the Centre for Disease Control, the World Food Programme, Population Services International (PSI) and UK-DfID, among other partners.

Visiting the facility on 12 July 2012, Mr. Mark Eldon-Edington, Division Head, Grant Management Division at the GFATM is complimentary of the work of Dr. Bwakura and his colleagues, noting that their dedication is making a tremendous impact in the fight against the three killer diseases in the country.

“My impression is that I have met serious, passionate people committed to the fight against the three diseases of Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Zimbabwe and the Global Fund will continue to support them,” he said, adding that he will conduct discussions with counterparts from the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to “see how the Government of Zimbabwe can increase its resources in the fight against the three diseases.”

The official also held consultations with key stakeholders including representatives of the government and United Nations agencies and visited the Beatrice Road Infectious Disease Hospital where the Global Fund has supported a laboratory extension project to meet the growing demands of patients.

Faced with a huge HIV burden, the government has pursued a decentralized approach to services, which according to Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, the deputy minister in the Health Ministry, is proving popular and effective. “Most of our main challenges still remain on the paediatrics side,” he reckoned.

Since 2009 when UNDP became the principal recipient of the Global Fund Grants, a total budget of US $ 251 million was provided to fight the diseases under the first phase of the programme, from 2010 to 2011.

The GFATM has earmarked US $ 293.6 million for the second phase of the programme, to be implemented over a period of three years up to 31 December 2014.

Describing his coming to Zimbabwe as a demonstration of the GFATM commitment, Mr. Eldon-Edington, said the country is a priority for GFATM intervention. 

Kadoma 5 July, 2012: As a follow up to its recent participation in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Government of Zimbabwe under the leadership of the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs organized a workshop to develop a National Action Plan in response to accepted recommendations.

The event took place in Kadoma from 4-6 July, 2012 and brought together nearly 100 participants, drawn from the Government, independent commissions, civil society, private sector, and the UN.

Speaking at the occasion, the UN Resident Coordinator (UN-RC), Mr. Alain Noudehou said that the implementation of the UPR recommendations needs to continue in the same spirit of inclusive cooperation and information sharing that have so far characterised the UPR process. He further noted that the consultative and participatory nature of this process will further enhance national ownership of the planned goals and encourage stakeholders in working towards a common goal.

The UN-RC added that the UN takes “ guidance from national development plans such as Zimbabwe’s Medium Term Plan, to support national efforts to achieve the human rights in their entirety—including civic rights as well economic, social, and cultural rights.” The Resident Coordinator emphasized that through this approach, “we can aspire to societies and communities that are safer, more resilient, and more productive.” 

In a key note address read on his behalf by the Deputy Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs (Mr. Obert.C. Gutu), the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Mr. Patrick Chinamasa said: “We all have a critical role to play to ensure that we enhance the human rights situation in our country. With the same diligence exhibited during the drafting of the UPR National Report, let us all actively participate and share best practices, skills and resources in implementing the UPR recommendations we have accepted as a country.”

Created by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process involving the review of the human rights situations of all 192 UN Members States once every four years. As a State driven process, it provides the opportunity for each State to identify key human rights issues and challenges as well as to periodically declare what actions it has taken to improve human rights situations and fulfil human rights obligations. 

Billed as the biggest success so far, the Harare Market Fair held from 29 June to 1 July, 2012 the fair attracted 120 exhibitors and nearly a dozen corporate sponsorships.

The event was aimed at improving women and youth welfare by providing access to markets for their products. It was supported by a broad coalition including the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Development, UN Women, UN Development Programme, Empretec Zimbabwe, Kunzwana Women’s Association and a host of other national and international organisations.

Among the guests were Her Worship the Mayoress of Harare, Mrs. Fikile Masunda; UN Women Country Director Ms. Hodan Addau; a representative of the EU Delegation; the CEO of the Buy Zimbabwe Campaign; and the Vice-Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa, Professor Hope Sadza. 
Both individual entrepreneurs and women and youth business groups across the country were involved in the fair, which is running into its second year since 2011. They exhibited products made in Zimbabwe including baskets, candles and household products, clothing and fabric, artwork, jewellery, and local food products to cater for a diversified national and international clientele.

 Zimbabwe continues to attract new investors, with China emerging as the largest source of new foreign investment into the country, accounting for 15 to 20 per cent of all inflows in the first quarter of 2011. Sub-Saharan countries have also added to the size of the Zimbabwean market, with thirty-five new investment projects from this region recorded in the same period. South Africa is leading the group with 20 projects.

Harare, Zimbabwe-17 May, 2012: In a sombre ceremony held in Harare at the Cerebration centre, to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide, the United Nations expressed solidarity with the people of Rwanda, saying that their experience had many lessons to offer to a world where the pursuit of global peace remains elusive.

The event was organized by the UN Communication Centre, the UN communication group and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office. Contributions to sponsor the event were also received from   UNDP and UNESCO. In addition, there was organizational support from the Rwandan Diaspora in Zimbabwe.

It was attended by representatives of the United Nations Country Team,   diplomatic corps, Zimbabweans, representatives from Kenya, Tanzania and Burundian communities and the Rwanda Diaspora. It was a historic moment, heralding the first time that the commemoration was held in Zimbabwe. 

The event was organized by the UN Communication Centre, and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office. Contributions to sponsor the event were also received from   UNDP and UNESCO. It was attended by representatives of the United Nations Country Team,   diplomatic corps, Zimbabweans, representatives from Kenya, Tanzania and Burundian communities and the Rwanda Diaspora. It was a historic moment, heralding the first time that the commemoration was held in Zimbabwe.

Reading the statement of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Resident Coordinator Alain Noudehou said that the day is a reminder to all of us to renew our commitment to say “never again” with one voice to such atrocities as the one that took place in Rwanda 18 years ago. 

“We remember the more than 800,000 innocent people who lost their lives. This year’s theme is “learning from history to shape a bright future”. Rwanda has learned from the appalling tragedy of 1994. So has the world. Rwanda is making progress towards building a more peaceful and just society. The international community is striving to ensure that similar tragedies never happen again,” said Mr. Noudehou.

In her remarks, the UNDP Country Director, Christine N. Umutoni encapsulated the lingering trauma and dilemma that confronts the generation that witnessed this terrible episode in Rwanda’s history. She applauded the determination of the people and leadership of Rwanda for their efforts to move on, saying that it is a testimony that where there is a will dreams can become a reality. All we can promise the victims is that NEVER AGAIN will not only remain a slogan, she added.

“For some of us it is not easy to answer the difficult questions that our children ask us,’” said Ms. Umutoni, adding, “Children want to know why black people may hate whites and vice versa in some parts of the world. They ask us why Hutu and Tutsi should hate each other, why women could be discriminated against…”

 “I think it is high time we made time for them and explain that it is ok to be black or white, there is no problem of being Hutu or Tutsi, and one should be proud whether you are a man or a woman. Be happy of who you are and respect others for what they are. Above all we must respect human life. But we can only teach our children what we practice and lead them by example,” observed the UNDP Country Director.

In a moving testimony that included personal tribulations, the representative of the Rwanda community, Mr. Jean Baptise Huvugimana recalled that though the international community did not pay much attention when the atrocities were being committed 18 years ago, the people of Rwanda “would like to register deep appreciation of the fact that the UN has since 2005 set aside a day annually for the commemoration of the Rwandan Genocide.”

Saying that the genocide “crashed” values that most people take for granted - such as the respect for Human life –Huvugimana who is an expatriate based in Zimbabwe said that the orgy of bloodshed that hit the climax during the 100 days, in April 1994 was perpetuated by the Government of that time that “made killing an obligation, mobilising the population to destroy their long time neighbours, all Tutsis and some Hutus who did not share the genocide ideology.”

Commemorative activities in Zimbabwe included observing a minute of silence, candle lighting, speeches, screening of the famous video musical “Never Again” produced by East African artists, watching different documentaries, photo exhibition as well as listening to the   tributes by Rwanda youths residing in Zimbabwe, led by Amanda Akaliza, who presented a photo story on the genocide.

The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide, commemorated every year is in line with the General Assembly resolution A/RES/60/225 which calls for the establishment of a program of outreach entitled “the Rwanda Genocide and the United Nations” aiming at preventing future acts of genocide in the world. 

Commemorative events organized by UN Information Centers this year around the world included a memorial ceremony in New York, film screening and exhibit in Bujumbura (Burundi), a film screening in Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), a ceremony and exhibition in New Delhi (India), as well as activities in Bangladesh, Belgium, Colombia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Namibia, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, Uganda, Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Southern Sudan, Zambia and now Zimbabwe, only to mention a few.

 

Quotes from youth representatives of the Rwanda community:

"I wasn’t yet born at the time of the genocide, all I know is that it is not a good thing! How can a human being kill another human; grown up people can be crazy sometimes! . We, the Rwandan youth promise never to allow such thing to happen again. “Never Again” - Thierry

"Soon I will finish high school; I have lots of ideas of what I can do when I go to college; certainly when I graduate I will have to support development of my own country. We need a country where all children can play and have fun, promoting love and unity among each other." - Julio

"My friends, I wasn’t there at the time of the genocide, but seeing all the movies and hearing the different stories, I think the genocide was not a cool thing to do at all. I think I am going to be a journalist when I grow up! I want to give better information to the world so that we can do better stuff." - Paula

Chinhoyi, 10 May, 2012: Reaching out to the provincial town of Chinhoyi, located about 120 kilometres north-west of the capital Harare, UNDP handed over 2000 soccer balls for distribution to schools  and soccer teams in the area, as part of an initiative in support of youth participation in nation building through sport, spearheaded by the Zimbabwe Youth Council.

Inspired by the need to create awareness about the African Youth Charter of the African Union (AU), the National Youth Policy and other legal instruments affecting the youth, the UNDP-supported initiative also seeks to create awareness about Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) among more young people in Zimbabwe.

The event, which brought together an estimated 300 people including representatives of the provincial administration, political parties, youth groups and schools, was held at the Chinhoyi stadium, where spectators were treated to a thrilling soccer match played by two of the leading football teams from Chinhoyi.

Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation & Empowerment, Mr. Saviour Kasukuwere, who was the chief guest at the event described the occasion as an ‘historic’ demonstration of the Government’s commitment to youth development and welfare. “Athletics gets the best out of us,” he said, urging the youth to “use this opportunity to create a network of relationships that will propel you to the next level of development.”

The minister expressed gratitude to development partners, including UNDP for targeting youth in their development programmes.

Terming the youth as “tomorrow’s future leaders,” UNDP Country Director, Christine Umutoni said that the United Nations perceives young people as major asset in fulfilment of its mandate. “ For instance, the Millennium Development Goals cannot be achieved without youth participation,” the Country Director observed, adding:   “Whether it is the question of eradicating poverty, promoting gender equality, combating HIV & AIDS as well as ensuring environmental sustainability, peace building, the youth input and youth engagement is critical.”

According to the Zimbabwe Youth Council, the programme will target out of school youths who are not currently engaged in any productive activity. “It is through initiatives like these that young people will be able to participate on an informal platform for the development of the country,” states a document produced by the ZYC on the initiative.

UNDP, in its role as global MDG Monitor for the UN System, works closely with the Government of Zimbabwe, other UN agencies, and civil society organizations to enhance national commitment and engagement towards attaining the MDGs by 2015. With four years to go until the MDG deadline, lots more can and needs to be done in Zimbabwe to reverse some negative trends and further build on the positive ones.

Refer to related article: http://www.undp.org.zw/news/212-harnessing-the-power-of-sports-for-peace-building-undp-supports-youth soccer?3a1ed061a28f8a5e62fd4865066ea7fa=262c8e80c7cb853352963c4db1a1dabc

Harare, 23 March, 2012: A three-year, USD 8.3 million project has been commissioned in Zimbabwe aimed at mainstreaming Climate Change in national development plans and programs and leveraging resources from global financing mechanisms as well as bilateral and multilateral donors.

Harare 19, March 2012: UNDP is working with the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) and the National Statistical System, to improve the country’s mechanism for processing data on poverty and the economy, a task that is critical for planning, resource mobilisation and allocation as the country forges ahead with its development agenda.

The USD 69 million 2012-2015 Support to ZIMSTAT and the National Statistical System project outlines a new approach for coordinated support through a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS). It seeks to provide a new beginning towards the restoration of timely statistics through strengthening of statistical capacities across the country.

Speaking during the Local Project Appraisal Committee (LPAC) held in Harare on 15 March,  2012 UNDP Country Director, Christine Umutoni described the development of the NSDS “through a nationally owned, inclusive and participatory driven process” as a big step towards addressing the challenges and opportunities that could be harnessed in the National Statistical System through a system wide approach.

The Country Director said that UNDP, in collaboration with other UN agencies like UNFPA, ILO and UNICEF as well as ZIMSTAT drafted the project document that could be used as an instrument for channelling support to the various activities. The formulation process also benefitted from a broad-based consultation process involving donor partners such as the World Bank, Africa Capacity Building Foundation, AfDB, DFID, the EU and USAID.

Welcoming the UNDP gesture, Director General of ZIMSTAT,  Mr. Mutasa Dzinotizei,  said that pooled funding through the NSDS is helpful in order to secure the benefits of the approach, notably lower transaction costs, cohesion and predictability. “The approach is being used in other countries such as  Rwanda and Ghana,” the official said, adding that that the implementation of the NSDS is central to the restoration of ZIMSTAT “as a credible and reliable producer of relevant and quality statistics for policy formulation at various levels in both the private and public sectors.”

According to an analysis in the 2011-2015 national strategic plan, ZIMSTAT faces numerous challenges like  data gaps resulting from backlogs, limited capacity to compile and develop some series and delays in data production and lack of coordination for data producers. Other challenges include  dilapidated IT infrastructure, outdated syllabi  for in-service training, skills gap, lack of staff as well as inadequate statistical advocacy and lack of resources to undertake important statistical surveys.

In 2009, the Government of Zimbabwe initiated reforms guided by the Short-Term Emergency Recovery Programme (STERP I and II) to meet some of the development aspirations outlined in the Global Political Agreement. In addition, the need to develop and implement a national economic strategy, the Medium Term Plan (2011-2015), makes it necessary to build capacity for the production of data for evidence-based analysis. Statistics are needed in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Medium Term Plan and the Millennium Development Goals.

Following the development of the 2011-2015 NSDS and the launch of the national strategic plan, a compelling case has been made for a coordinated approach towards strengthening the capacity of ZIMSTAT through system-wide approach.

Harare, 16 March, 2012: A USD 13 million programme to support strengthening the capacities in the Justice Law and Order Sector in Zimbabwe was unveiled on 6 March, 2012 by the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in partnership with UNDP as the lead UN Agency.