US$6 million boost for Zimbabwe’s social sectors

The Swedish Government last week allocated U$6 million to UNICEF Zimbabwe, a move which will aid in reviving the country’s social sectors.

This apportionment which was made through UNICEF, is part of the on-going financial support UNICEF’s country programme for 2012-2015 by the Swedish Government.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mr Reza Hussain UNICEF country representative applauded this gesture saying the allocation comes at a time when resources allocation to social sectors was limited.

“The $6 million comes at a time when resource allocation within the social sector is limited. Most of the of the country’s budget allocation is going to salaries hence social sectors are being neglected,” he said adding that there is less funding available for non-emergence countries.

He also said that the allocation allows UNICEF to respond to immediate needs so that there won’t be a replication of the challenges faced by children in 2008.

Maria Selin, the Head of Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy registered her exhilaration over UNICEF’s capacity to deliver.

She also said the US$ 6 million will help intensely in addressing key areas.

“This funding goes a long way in addressing areas such as health and sanitation. It is also essential in promoting children’s health. We need to look at the quality of life for children,” she said.

Speaking at the same event, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Honorable Prisca Mupfumira commended the Swedish Government saying the contribution will enable government to realise its human development goals.

‘This contribution of US$6 million by SIDA will go a long way in making the Ministry and the government at large realise its human development goals. This includes the current National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children whose goal is to see all children in Zimbabwe live in a safe, secure and supportive environment by 2020,” she said.

She added that, “the contribution will assist the needy segments of the population through the various interventions under the UNICEF programming agenda.”

This US$6 million contribution will be channeled towards four areas which are:

1. Water and Sanitation (WASH)
2. Health
3. Nutrition
4. HIV

The allocation is meant fill the financial gaps in the urban WASH programme; fund additional stocks of Anti-Retroviral drugs for children; strengthen health systems; and improve nutrition in Zimbabwe.

Up to date the Swedish government has given UNICEF US$31.7 for use through its thematic funds.