Disturbingly, though, the government has not clearly set out its intentions regarding catering for orphans and vulnerable children who are suffering the brunt of increasing poverty and widespread hunger.
We are aware that Zimbabwe, in collaboration with several partners, has several policy-level interventions that are designed to protect the vulnerable young souls thrust into precarious situations because of loss of their parents and guardians. Many of these children are running households on their own, or are dependent on equally vulnerable adults such as aged grandparents. But these interventions are not working on the ground.
The latest national budget gives the largest chunk to education – and this is commendable. However, it does not expressly address the plight of vulnerable children who, according to Unicef, number more than a million.
It is regrettable that the various social interventions put in place by government over the years have never been adequately supported. A good example is the Basic Education Module, which is meant to provide school fees and other forms of support to orphans and vulnerable children. This has also been mired in many allegations of mis-management, fraud and corruption that have never been adequately responded to by those in charge.
Government’s partners have done their best amid increasing donor fatigue to financially and logistically support BEAM, but this effort has not been complemented by the government. As we speak, the state is in arrears to the tune of millions of dollars that it pledged for BEAM. And there are no signs that any money will be available any time soon. In fact the deficit is likely to worsen in 2014, given that no specific plans and strategies have been put in place.
Similarly, there is no evidence that government is directly addressing the issue of hunger, abuse and disease among vulnerable children, leaving that mostly to private partners who are facing their own problems. While it is argued that the economy’s poor performance is hampering effective interventions, we feel that government should do better. Our suspicion is that it does not place children among its top priorities.
No government is worth its salt if it cannot place children, the country’s future, ahead of other things.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga