The initiative, titled “Strengthening Local Communities’ Adaptive Capacity and Resilience to Climate Change through Sustainable Groundwater Utilisation in Zimbabwe,” will be spearheaded by UNESCO in close collaboration with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Resettlement. With a generous budget of US$5 million, the project is set to unfold from 2023 to 2027 in Binga’s wards 13 and 19, situated in Matabeleland North, and Buhera’s wards 20 and 23 in the Manicaland province.
This ambitious project aims to bolster the resilience of local communities against the backdrop of climate change by promoting sustainable groundwater use. It seeks to ensure food security and support other productive uses in rural Zimbabwe, areas that are currently grappling with significant challenges. Muchaneta Munamati, the project coordinator, outlined the initiative’s strategic approach during a stakeholder meeting in Kadoma, emphasizing the necessity of enhancing technical, institutional, and human capacities at both national and local levels for improved and sustainable groundwater utilization.
According to a report by Newsday, the project intends to conduct comprehensive assessments of groundwater resources in the Lower Gwayi and Upper Save sub-catchments, identified as poverty-stricken and highly vulnerable regions. By developing management plans that encourage the responsible use of groundwater resources, UNESCO aims to mitigate the adverse effects of erratic rainfall patterns and inadequate water management practices that have historically impacted water availability in Zimbabwe.
Highlighting the disproportionate burden that water insecurity places on women and girls, Munamati pointed out the urgent need for strategies that can secure and protect livelihoods during periods of little to no rainfall. The project’s focus on knowledge generation, capacity development, and the implementation of effective pilot projects is designed to empower affected communities, fostering resilience and adaptability in the face of climate change.
With climate change altering weather patterns globally, leading to droughts and floods, the significance of initiatives like UNESCO’s in enhancing water security and supporting food production cannot be overstated. As more than a billion people worldwide live in areas with inadequate water supply, projects that aim to improve water access and agricultural productivity are essential in building communities that are resilient to environmental challenges.
