By Caroline Chiimba
The aftermath of EI-Nino phenomenon left communities in dire need of basic commodities like food and water. Crops wilted and rivers and dams are drying up. With more than 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s 15 million people residing in rural areas, growing the food they eat, and selling surplus to cover household expenses, the drought left a devastating trail on people’s livelihoods.
This catastrophe prompted the president of Zimbabwe to declare a state of national disaster in April, citing that the country needs $2 billion for humanitarian assistance. Nutrition Action Zimbabwe under a consortium of partners like Action Contre LaFaim, Africa Ahead, Musasa and the government were already implementing the USAID funded ‘Strengthening community resilience’ project in Gokwe North and Kariba. Among many components, the project also rolled out the cash for work activity whereby the communities built a weir and rehabilitated dip tanks.
“Cash for work programs involve providing temporary employment opportunities to community members in exchange for cash payments. The cash for work activities aimed to address immediate needs while also building long-term resilience by creating economic opportunities and enhancing skills,” said the program manager.
“Providing income to participants, does not only support immediate recovery efforts but also contribute to building resilience by empowering individuals with resources to withstand future crises.”
A total of 650 households in Kariba and Gokwe North have been receiving their monthly income for five months for cash for work activities like a total of three dip tanks rehabilitation in both districts, and one weir construction in Kariba district.
“I am very happy today for earning my hard-earned cash after working at this dip tank. This money will go a long way in helping with household expenses like buying food,” jovial Tinos Zengeya in Kariba said.
“The dip tank rehabilitation initiative is also a wonderful thing to happen in our community. When our dip tank is standard, it means our livestock is catered for, and in this livestock is where our source of wealth lies.”
Delicious Ngwenya, a 19year old pregnant mother also couldn’t hide her happiness after getting her cash payout. She has been working at the weir site for two months doing light duties like fetching water.
“This initiative came at an opportune time when I really needed the money. As you can see am expectant and was really stressed on how I will get preparation for the baby since I am unemployed, and my husband has been struggling to get casual jobs. We are farmers but this year the El-Nino drought left us hopeless,” she said.
Cash distributions make vulnerable communities resilient to climate shocks like EI -Nino drought by meeting immediate household needs.