The Government of Zimbabwe and the European Union today signed five financial agreements amounting to EUR 89 million under 11th European Development Fund (EDF) 2014 - 2020 National Indicative Programme (NIP) of Euro 234 million.
Embargo: 28 September 2015, 10am
Among the Financial Agreements signed today, the health sector is the biggest recipient with EUR 55 million as support to the Health Transition Fund 2015 and the Health Development Fund 2016-2020, administered by UNICEF. The programmes are aimed at protecting the population against the most important health threats, in particular those at the root of maternal and child mortality; strengthening national health systems at provincial and district levels; and promoting equal access to health services by supporting the necessary reforms on health financing and governance.
A total of EUR 15 million has been set aside for Resilience Building in the food and nutrition security sector. The programme, being administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims at enhancing the food and nutrition status and the overall resilience of vulnerable communities to better cope with challenges posed by changing climatic conditions.
Public Finance Management reforms will be supported with EUR 10 million through Zimbabwe Reconstruction Fund (ZIMREF), administered by the World Bank. This programme will improve control, transparency and accountability, and oversight in the use of public resources in Zimbabwe. The project will, in particular, focus on enhancing fiscal discipline, strategic allocation of resources, and service delivery efficiency through strengthened systems, procedures and targeted capacity-building.
The promotion of migration governance will be supported with EUR 3 million, administered by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The main objective is to develop a migrant policy based on the respect of the fundamental rights of the migrants as enshrined in international conventions. Another EUR 6 million is set aside for capacity-building in the National Authorising Office (NAO) at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, and for technical assistance, studies or consultancies in support of the formulation and implementation of the programmes approved under the NIP.
In his remarks, the Secretary for Finance & Economic Development and National Authorising Officer, Mr. Willard L. Manungo, explained: “The signature of these five financial agreements confirms the continuing normalisation of the relations in terms of development cooperation between the EU and Zimbabwe. The different programmes have been designed jointly by the respective line ministries and the EU Delegation and will effectively contribute to the implementation of the national priorities outlined in the ZIM-ASSET. Government remains committed to full re-engagement with the EU and to the implementation of the NIP”
"Since the lifting of the Article 96 Appropriate Measures in November 2014, the EU has intensified its policy dialogue with the Government of Zimbabwe. The programmes we signed today are the direct result of this renewed partnership and should lead to more efficient and effective use of development funding in helping address the reform agenda of the Government and promoting the structural reforms required for the inclusive and sustainable development of Zimbabwe", said Philippe Van Damme, Head of the EU Delegation, during the signing ceremony.
The National Indicative Programme is a joint cooperation strategy developed by the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) and the European Union (EU) and was signed on 16 February 2015. The NIP framework, which is within the 11th European Development Fund [11th EDF] (2014-2020), will provide development assistance amounting to EUR 234 million to Zimbabwe.Before the end of the year, about EUR 160 million of this amount will be committed.
The support targets areas of health, agriculture and institution building jointly identified by the Government of Zimbabwe and the European Union, and responds to some of the National priorities outlined in ZIM-ASSET and the 10 Point Plan for Economic Growth.