The project – which has yet to start – will be funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID). It will: – be worth up to £4.5 million (over $7 million) between the approval of the contract and September 2013 – be apolitical in nature – support those organisations who aim to empower poor Zimbabweans by helping them engage in key decision making processes, such as elections.
The range of activities that may be supported under this programme is clearly set out. It may include: violence monitoring and reporting, conflict mediation, peace building, civic and voter education, voter observation, capacity building, social research, independent print media, independent broadcast media, alternative forms of media and communication, and increased accountability through improved public financial management. In other words, the project aims to promote engagement by the people. That is important in any democracy. It is unclear how the Mail can consider this a threat.
The United Kingdom is one of the major donors in Zimbabwe. Our programme for 2011-12 – at $130 million, Britain’s biggest ever – is mainly focused on providing essential basic services and protecting the livelihoods of the poorest people. For example, by 2015, British assistance will have helped 420,000 children complete five years of primary school. It will have created jobs for 125,000 people, provided one million people with access to clean drinking water and 600,000 with access to improved sanitation.
Misrepresenting Britain’s generous support for development in Zimbabwe in this way is yet another desperate attempt to undermine the strong and growing relationship between the two countries.
Post published in: Africa News