Zimbabwe
Current Situation
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2011 Global Peace Index ranking of 153 countries: 140 |
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More than 880,000 internally displaced people, with many of these people having been displaced more than once |
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39 per cent of the population is undernourished |
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Life expectancy: 47 years |
Politically, Zimbabwe remains deeply divided along political party lines even under the Unity government of Zanu-PF and MDC-T. A number of key issues are presently before the government including the ratification of a new constitution and fresh elections likely to be held in early 2012. The issue of national healing runs parallel to both of these processes recognising the history of politically motivated violence during the 2008 elections. The collapse of the Zimbabwe dollar and the dramatic fallout from radical land distribution policies remain pressing concerns for political organisations, nongovernment sectors and the rural population. While political, social and economic freedoms and opportunities are slowly emerging, there appears to be a prevailing caution and concern surrounding how the country will emerge through this critical period of national development.
Act for Peace in Zimbabwe
Act for Peace’s partner, Christian Care Zimbabwe, currently implements an innovative conservation farming program with rural communities in the southern districts of Zimbabwe. The program has demonstrated great success in improving the food security status of selected households through the introduction of high yield seeds, targeted agricultural inputs and low cost farming techniques.
The program develops a cadre of skilled farmers who are able to maximise the production of maize, sorghum and vegetables for household consumption and for selling at the market. The program has reduced dependence on food handouts and allowed farming communities to strengthen their economic capacity. The conservation farming program is accompanied by leadership-focused training, emphasising social responsibility and heightening awareness and sensitivity on the chronic health issue of HIV and AIDS.
Act for Peace also supports an ecumenical accompaniment program which aims to develop effective leadership within the Zimbabwe churches. Specifically, this will encourage greater stewardship of the church in tackling issues including the constitutional reform process, forthcoming elections and national healing. This will help deliver grassroots peace and reconciliation initiatives and actions against gross human abuse, violence and intolerance.
Click here to read about how conservation farming is providing better nutrition for people in rural Zimbabwe.
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can provide vital training for two Zimbabwean farmers in methods of sustainable agriculture so they can produce bigger and better crops
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can give a person peace-building training so that they can become a leader in their community and promote peaceful relations |
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can provide seeds, equipment and supplies so farmers can begin cultivating the land using these techniques |
