Annual report 2019-20
Read nowHuman Development Index:
150 out of 189 countries
Life expectancy:
61 years
Expected years of schooling:
10.5 years
Six yer old Cute in her classroom in Zimbabwe.
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.
Human Development Index:
150 out of 189 countries
Life expectancy:
61 years
Expected years of schooling:
10.5 years
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.
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.
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.
When I first arrived in Zimbabwe three and a half years ago, the first thing many people said was ‘you might be here t...
Across the world communities are resisting land grabs, dispossessions and environmental damage caused by corporatio...
Cyclone Idai has caused unprecedented devastation in southern Africa. The flooding and damage has destroyed homes and in...
This week Jestina Mukoko is visiting Ireland, raising awareness about the situation of human rights in Zimbabwe. Jestina...
Hopes that the first elections in Zimbabwe without Mugabe on the ballot would pass off peacefully have been dashed....
Zimbabwe General Election, 2018 This election will also be a first for the main opposition party, the MDC Alliance, who ...
The newly launched Water Fund aims to bring fresh, clean water to thousands of families in an area of southern Zimbabwe ...
Trócaire has developed an innovative way to tackle this problem. Working with survivors of gender-based violence and wo...
Since Robert Mugabe stood down and was replaced as president by Emmerson Mnangagwa the mood here in Zimbabwe has been po...
Pat McDonagh, best known as the founder and owner of Supermac’s Restaurants, has been a loyal supporter of Trócaire f...
[[{“fid”:”11506″,”view_mode”:”default”,”fields”:{“form...
Tuesday and Wednesday were very tense – there were tanks on the streets and military checkpoints. People were quite fe...
The military took over Zimbabwe’s national broadcaster overnight to announce that 93-year-old President Robert Mug...
Solar dryers are an innovative way for rural farmers to preserve their vegetable produce for future consumption, retaini...
In November 2016, a Bishops Delegation travelled to Zimbabwe to see Trócaire’s work firsthand. Four bishops...
Caption: Sarafina and family members harvesting crops on their farm ‘Social protections and agriculture: Breaking the ...
By Deirdre Ní Cheallaigh and Deirdre Lomasney People living with HIV can often find themselves stigmatised in their com...
This Lent, the UK government will match, pound for pound, all public donations to the campaign in Northern Ireland, up t...
By Michelle Moore, HIV and Gender Team To mark World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (21 ...
by Margaret Masanga and Nelly Maonde, Trócaire Zimbabwe Trócaire marks International Women’s Day (8 March) wi...
By Nelly Maonde, Zimbabwe Livelihoods & Humanitarian Programme Officer. Every year, life gets more difficult ...
This is a cycle to work scheme with a difference. At the Chinyika Clinic in Zimbabwe’s Gutu District, Janet pedals unt...
by Bríd Dunne, Trócaire Education Officer Upon arriving at Amazon school in the Insiza District, our Zimbabwean collea...
Martha was convinced that she was going to die. She had just been diagnosed as living with HIV and considered it a death...
With its tree lined avenues, newly re-opened 5 star hotels and tranquil suburbs (recalling Surrey more than any place in...