GOAL, Childline, and Musasa launch US$3.3 million program to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 for over 15,000 people in Zimbabwe
GOAL Zimbabwe, in collaboration with Childline and Musasa, has launched a US$3.3 million USAID (United States Agency for International Development) funded project to assist more than 15,000 people suffering from the economic impact of COVID-19 in Mbare, Harare.
The 12-month UPLIFT/SIMUDZA project will provide cash assistance for six months and will support children and women impacted by protection related issues. In addition, the project will support the establishment and re-establishment of 800 small businesses.
The Country Director for GOAL Zimbabwe, Gabriella Prandini, highlighted that the planned activities will address food security, and adopt a comprehensive approach to providing protection services at household, community, and service provider levels.
She said: “We are introducing an integrated package of assistance to address household and business needs. This much-needed project will increase the food security status and reduce protection risks of vulnerable urban households while supporting the recovery of income-generating activities for families whose livelihoods have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Precious Taru, Director for Musasa Project, said the project will work on social behaviour change activities to reduce the effects of gender-based violence in Mbare. “The project will address social norms that perpetuate violence. Our priority will be to provide a comprehensive response package for survivors of violence and utilize the gender-based violence referral network.”
Childline’s National Director, Stella Motsi, welcomed the project saying: “We will provide services through our 116 free phone hotlines, offer psychosocial support to victims of abuse, and support parenting initiatives that promote better living amongst families. The project comes at a time when children's vulnerabilities have increased and thus the need to create safety nets to protect children.”
USAID/Zimbabwe Acting Mission Director, Mike McCord, said: “The physical and psychological safety of women, girls, and children is of utmost importance. USAID is pleased to support this response to the rising food insecurity and increasing cases of violence in Mbare. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated an already declining economic environment, causing many to struggle to meet their basic needs. This assistance will help families make choices regarding what they want to eat, help them start viable income-generating projects, and enable them to create an environment that is safe for children and survivors of violence.”
He added: “The United States remains committed to the people of Zimbabwe. During the pandemic, we will continue to prioritize our critical health and life-saving humanitarian assistance activities, such as cash, food, water, emergency healthcare, sanitation and hygiene, and critical nutrition services for Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable people.”
GOAL Zimbabwe, Childline, and Musasa will work alongside key stakeholders in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises; and the Mbare Local Government to identify vulnerable households unable to meet their basic needs. UPLIFT/SIMUDZA will provide active referrals and case management for households with a protection risk, while integrating messaging on child protection and GBV to the wider community.
The program will develop strong feedback and accountability channels to ensure that it is responsive to any changes in the context and that beneficiaries' concerns are heard.
Risk Communication on COVID-19 will be mainstreamed throughout all activities and will be expanded to include vaccination information when appropriate. The program will be implemented in line with the Government of Zimbabwe and World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 regulations.
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For further details, please contact:
Gabriella Prandini on gprandini@zw.goal.ie or +263 772 409 892