Posted on 15 March 2021

The equipment purchased and handed over to the communities in early March, represents 42% of total planned procurement. The items include 61 heavy-duty bicycles, three motor vehicles, three motorcycles, three laptops, six grinding mills, three fire blowers, 100 fire beaters and 90 Fire cans.
 
The handover was officiated by the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Mangaliso Ndlovu, who described it as a huge milestone.
 
Said Minister Ndlovu: “It is a huge milestone today that we have this project to enhance community’s abilities through rural district councils to respond to environmental challenges, conservation challenges, and communities adaptation to climate change.”
 
The Climate Change project for Southern and East Africa is a four-nation Climate Change Adaptation Support project that involves Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe with funding of Euro 5 million sourced by WWF from the German government.
 
German Deputy Head of Mission to Zimbabwe, Dr Christian Oelfke, called on the stakeholders to continue with their dedication to preserving the environment in Zimbabwe.
 
Speaking at the handover ceremony he said: “Climate change poses an existential threat to life on earth. We need new ways of thinking, new ways of organizing our lives, new technologies. When travelling around the country I have been very impressed by the efforts of conservationists.  I am very happy that we can contribute to the endeavors of these dedicated people who are doing a fantastic job at preserving nature for the next generations to come.”
 
WWF Zimbabwe, in partnership with the CAMPFIRE Association, is implementing the Zimbabwe component of the project, which seeks to address some of the challenges of biodiversity loss and limited community livelihoods. 
 
Said WWF Zimbabwe country director, Dr Enos Shumba: “WWF recognizes the intricate link and interdependence between nature and people and the continued loss of nature and biodiversity.   WWF are excited to be supporting this project and look forward to working closely with the Ministry and CAMPFIRE Association in delivering on its objectives”.
 
The Zimbabwe communities benefiting from this project largely depend on subsistence cultivation and extensive livestock rearing. Climate change has reduced farm crop yield while income from tourism in the districts has declined due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 
 
The overall objective of the project is to improve the management of community conservation areas and community livelihoods and to enhance resilience to climate change.
 
Key project activities include: Supporting Environment Resource Monitors and CAMPFIRE managers to enhance natural resource protection; supporting communities to diversify their incomes, access safe water and reduce human wildlife conflict; facilitating the reduction of uncontrolled forest fires; and training and raising awareness among communities, Environmental Resource Managers and CAMPFIRE managers.