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Zimbabwe

Six yer old Cute in her classroom in Zimbabwe.

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Overview

Zimbabwe was once regarded as the great hope for Africa. But its enormous potential has been ruined by years of crises ranging from climatic to economic and compounded by bad governance.

The country has experienced huge political and economic turmoil. Robert Mugabe’s dictatorship that lasted until 2018 destroyed large parts of the economy. It also led to violent crack-downs on anybody who spoke out against him.

This has had a devastating impact on poor and marginalised people. The majority of Zimbabwe’s population now live in poverty.

With your support, Trócaire works with poor and marginalised communities in Zimbabwe. We work with rural communities to help improve food production. We also work with women to protect them from violence and encourage them to have a stronger voice.

Finally, we work with human rights defenders who hold the Government of Zimbabwe to account.

Zimbabwe

Human Development Index:
150 out of 189 countries

Life expectancy:
61 years

Expected years of schooling:
10.5 years

Impact in 2021

11,000

people supported with humanitarian aid

39,000

people supported by human rights programmes

21,000

people supported through Women's Empowerment programmes

8,000

people supported to grow more food

Contact Details

Sarah McCan

Country Director

Why we are working in Zimbabwe

When Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, people dreamt of a bright future. Those hopes were soon dashed. The government of Robert Mugabe led to economic ruin and people living in fear.

Today, the majority of Zimbabweans live in poverty. This is particularly the case in rural and marginalised areas, where people rely on small farms to feed their families.

Trócaire works in Zimbabwe to improve the lives of people living in poverty, particularly women. We also strengthen human rights by supporting brave partners who challenge the powerful forces in the country.

Our work is focused primarily in the drought-affected areas of Matebeleland South and Masvingo in the south of the country, as well as the Eastern Province of Manicaland.

Approximately 70% of people in Zimbabwe rely on agriculture. Climate change is making it harder for them to survive. Rising temperatures and worsening droughts are leaving many farmers without harvests.

Our work is focused primarily in the drought-affected areas of Matebeleland South and Masvingo in the south of the country, as well as the Eastern Province of Manicaland.

Women suffer disproportionately from the effects of poverty. Violence against women, in all its forms, continues to be recorded at extremely high levels.

In Zimbabwe violations of human rights remain pervasive. A new Constitution was introduced in 2013 which contains progressive provisions in line with international human rights commitments. However, progress on the implementation of these has been very slow.

Citizens for the most part remain unaware of their civic, economic and social rights and do not engage in processes that affect them.

There are ongoing restrictions on political opposition, civil society and the media. Elections since the late 1980s have been marred by violence.

How are we responding

We have been supporting partners and communities in Zimbabwe since the 1970s. Trócaire’s work in Zimbabwe aims to achieve stronger human rights protections, the development of sustainable and resilient livelihoods and women’s empowerment.

Trocaire works in three programme areas in Zimbabwe

1. Women's Empowerment

This programme promotes and protects the rights of women and girls in Zimbabwe. It has a particular focus on reducing gender-based violence and supporting survivors of gender-based violence to access services and care.

Violence against women is facilitated by social norms. Our programmes tackle those norms. We work with women and men to end violence and help survivors access services and have a secure source of income. Trócaire Zimbabwe uses the transformative behaviour change model SASA! Faith to work with faith communities and leaders to change knowledge, attitudes and behaviours relating to gender based violence.
2. Resource Rights

We support communities in southern Zimbabwe to build their resilience to withstand climate shocks, and to increase and diversify household food production and income.

These initiatives specifically tackle the chronic water, food and income shortages faced by families increasingly affected by climate change.

We have a particular focus on women’s participation and economic empowerment.

We work with partners to do this by improving access, use and management of water, as well as promoting an ‘agro-ecological’ approach to agriculture and supporting diverse drought resistant crops and livestock activities.

We also integrate humanitarian preparedness and response into our programmes as necessary, and organise for national level advocacy on critical issues such as climate change.
3. Humanitarian Response

In Zimbabwe we respond to humanitarian crises as they arise, often integrating our response into our long term development programming. In 2019 we supported communities affected by the devastating Cyclone Idai.

In 2019 and 2020 we are supporting vulnerable women and men in Southern Zimbabwe affected by the devastating drought. We support cash and in-kind support to people to meet their basic needs.

Latest Zimbabwe News

View All

The legacy of Cyclone Idai still impacting Zimbabweans three years on

David O'Hare 27 April 2022

...

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe on the brink of devastating food crisis as the rains fail

David O'Hare 20 April 2022

...

Climate change

Thandekile works tirelessly to provide for her family

Trócaire 25 March 2022

...

Climate change

It’s a race against time for families battling the onslaught of climate change in drought prone Zimbabwe

Trócaire 16 March 2022

...

Zimbabwe

Thandekile dreams of building a successful business to keep her children educated for a brighter future

Trócaire 10 March 2022

...

Women's Empowerment

Trócaire’s menstrual dignity kit is restoring dignity for women and girls like Janet in Zimbabwe.

Trócaire 30 November 2021

...

Human Rights

5 Lessons from Zimbabwe and Uganda on citizen action to tackle Violence against Women

Leigh Brady 08 April 2021

...

Zimbabwe

‘My heart bleeds knowing I have no food to give my grandchildren’

Trócaire 01 December 2020

...

Zimbabwe

5 ways we can use eco-friendly farming to tackle drought in Zimbabwe

Edward Makoni and Garry Walsh 16 October 2020

...

Covid 19

Zimbabwe hit by lack of testing and double-edged sword of lockdown

Trócaire 30 April 2020

...

Women's Empowerment

Zimbabwe church leaders spearhead new campaign on violence against women

Trócaire 06 December 2019

...

Humanitarian

Rebuilding lives in the aftermath of cyclone devastation

Trócaire 18 September 2019

...

Human Rights

Mugabe. What is in a legacy?

Trócaire 06 September 2019

When I first arrived in Zimbabwe three and a half years ago, the first thing many people said was ‘you might be here t...

Business and Human Rights

Families forced out by mining in Zimbabwe

Trócaire 12 August 2019

Across the world communities are resisting land grabs, dispossessions and environmental damage caused by corporatio...

Climate change

Rebuilding three months after Cyclone Idai

David O'Hare 14 June 2019

...

Climate change

Your support is reaching Cyclone Idai victims

Trócaire 02 April 2019

Cyclone Idai has caused unprecedented devastation in southern Africa. The flooding and damage has destroyed homes and in...

Climate change

Trócaire responds to Cyclone Idai crisis

Trócaire 20 March 2019

...

Zimbabwe

Church calls for restraint and peace in Zimbabwe

Trócaire 23 January 2019

...

Human Rights

Zimbabwe Human Rights Defender visits Ireland

Trócaire 24 August 2018

This week Jestina Mukoko is visiting Ireland, raising awareness about the situation of human rights in Zimbabwe. Jestina...

Human Rights

“This is not Zimbabwe, people are not violent here”

Trócaire 08 August 2018

Hopes that the first elections in Zimbabwe without Mugabe on the ballot would pass off peacefully have been dashed....

Zimbabwe

So much has changed in this new Zimbabwe

Trócaire 29 July 2018

Zimbabwe General Election, 2018 This election will also be a first for the main opposition party, the MDC Alliance, who ...

Resource Rights

Marking World Water Day 2018 with the launch of The Water Fund

Trócaire 22 March 2018

The newly launched Water Fund aims to bring fresh, clean water to thousands of families in an area of southern Zimbabwe ...

Zimbabwe

Innovative programme in Zimbabwe shortlisted for Bond Innovation Award 2018

Trócaire 15 March 2018

Trócaire has developed an innovative way to tackle this problem. Working with survivors of gender-based violence and wo...

Zimbabwe

International community will judge new Zimbabwean president by actions not words

Trócaire 02 March 2018

Since Robert Mugabe stood down and was replaced as president by Emmerson Mnangagwa the mood here in Zimbabwe has been po...

Supporters

Pat McDonagh urges support for Trócaire Christmas appeal

Trócaire 07 December 2017

Pat McDonagh, best known as the founder and owner of Supermac’s Restaurants, has been a loyal supporter of Trócaire f...

Zimbabwe

Trócaire calls for an end to ‘the human tragedy of Zimbabwe’

Trócaire 19 November 2017

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Human Rights

Fearful but hopeful: eyewitness account from Zimbabwe

Trócaire 17 November 2017

Tuesday and Wednesday were very tense – there were tanks on the streets and military checkpoints. People were quite fe...

Zimbabwe

Trócaire monitoring unprecedented situation in Zimbabwe

Trócaire 15 November 2017

The military took over Zimbabwe’s national broadcaster overnight to announce that 93-year-old President Robert Mug...

Zimbabwe

Solar dryers extend the lifespan of food in Zimbabwe

Trócaire 11 July 2017

Solar dryers are an innovative way for rural farmers to preserve their vegetable produce for future consumption, retaini...

Lent

Seeing the impact of Lent donations in Zimbabwe

Trócaire 09 March 2017

In November 2016, a Bishops Delegation travelled to Zimbabwe to see Trócaire’s work firsthand. Four bishops...

Resource Rights

Taking control of food production in Zimbabwe: Sarafina’s story

Trócaire 14 January 2016

Caption: Sarafina and family members harvesting crops on their farm ‘Social protections and agriculture: Breaking the ...

Zimbabwe

Innovative HIV pilot in Zimbabwe combats stigma

Trócaire 01 December 2015

By Deirdre Ní Cheallaigh and Deirdre Lomasney People living with HIV can often find themselves stigmatised in their com...

Climate change

UK Aid Match funding in action

Trócaire 26 February 2015

This Lent, the UK government will match, pound for pound, all public donations to the campaign in Northern Ireland, up t...

Zimbabwe

Dialogue, development and HIV in Zimbabwe

Trócaire 20 May 2014

By Michelle Moore, HIV and Gender Team To mark World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (21 ...

Resource Rights

Success in the struggle for water in Zimbabwe: Thandiwe Ncube’s story

Trócaire 07 March 2014

by Margaret Masanga and Nelly Maonde, Trócaire Zimbabwe Trócaire marks International Women’s Day (8 March) wi...

Climate change

Climate change hitting Zimbabwe’s farmers hard

Trócaire 12 September 2013

By Nelly Maonde, Zimbabwe Livelihoods & Humanitarian Programme Officer. Every year, life gets more difficult ...

Zimbabwe

A cycle to work scheme that can save lives

Trócaire 28 November 2012

This is a cycle to work scheme with a difference. At the Chinyika Clinic in Zimbabwe’s Gutu District, Janet pedals unt...

Zimbabwe

Small stones building mountains in Zimbabwe

Trócaire 14 September 2012

by Bríd Dunne, Trócaire Education Officer Upon arriving at Amazon school in the Insiza District, our Zimbabwean collea...

Zimbabwe

Born HIV free in Zimbabwe

Trócaire 22 November 2011

Martha was convinced that she was going to die. She had just been diagnosed as living with HIV and considered it a death...

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Zimbabwe

Overview

Zimbabwe

Impact in 2021

11,000

people supported with humanitarian aid

39,000

people supported by human rights programmes

21,000

people supported through Women's Empowerment programmes

8,000

people supported to grow more food

Contact Details

Sarah McCan

Why we are working in Zimbabwe

How are we responding

Trocaire works in three programme areas in Zimbabwe

Highlighted Resources

View More Resources

Latest Zimbabwe News

Funding Partners in Zimbabwe

Irish Aid

SIDA

Local Implementing Partners

CARITAS Bulawayo

CARITAS Masvingo

CARITAS Zimbabwe

Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace Masvingo

Catholic Commission of Justice and Peace Mutare

Caritas Commission of Justice and Peace Zimbabwe

Connect: Zimbabwe Institute of Systemic Therapy

Dabane Trust

Diocese of Mutare Community Care Programme

Emthonjeni Women’s Forum

Katswe Sistahood

Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre

Masakhaneni Projects Trust

Musasa

Youth Alive

Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

Zimbabwe Peace Project

Zimbabwe Project Trust

Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations