By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Buhera – At the heart of Zimbabwe’s rural development strategy lies a critical realization: resilience must be built from within.
Speaking at the launch of the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund Phase 2 (ZRBF 2), UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mr Edward Kallon emphasized that for resilience efforts to be successful, they must be community-owned and driven.
“Resilience is not something that can be imposed from the outside. It must be led by the communities themselves,” Mr Kallon said in his address.
ZRBF 2, which targets districts such as Kariba, Hurungwe, and Chiredzi, aims to empower communities with better resource management strategies, food security initiatives, and climate adaptation measures. A key focus is on providing communities with the skills, infrastructure, and financial tools to become self-reliant in the face of recurring climate shocks and economic instability.
Local leaders and community representatives at the event echoed the importance of grassroots participation.
“When we take ownership of these programs, they become more than just projects – they become part of our way of life,” said Nyasha Dube, a community leader from Mwenezi.
The initiative will also integrate traditional knowledge with modern resilience-building techniques, ensuring that local expertise is respected while introducing innovative solutions.
The UNDP and FAO, key partners in the initiative, will work alongside local authorities to facilitate this transition.
However, challenges remain. The decline in Official Development Assistance (ODA) means communities must find alternative ways to sustain resilience-building programs. The UN is pushing for more private sector involvement to bridge this gap.
As Zimbabwe moves forward with ZRBF 2, the success of this initiative will depend on how well communities are equipped and willing to take the lead in shaping their own futures.
The launch serves as a call to action—not just for governments and development partners, but for communities themselves to take the driver’s seat in building a sustainable and resilient future.
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