Govt launches US$7 million health and resilience partnership with Japan, UN agencies

17 April 2025

By Charity Chikara

The Government of Zimbabwe has launched a US$7 million partnership with the Government of Japan and four United Nations agencies aimed at improving health, nutrition, food security, and community resilience across the country.

According to a press statement released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), five projects have been rolled out under Japan’s 2024 Supplementary Budget and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). The initiatives implemented by UNICEF, UNDP, WFP, and UNOPS are expected to directly benefit over 86,000 people and reach many more through digital platforms.

Japan’s funding allocation includes US$2.45 million to UNICEF, US$1.5 million to UNDP, US$800,000 to WFP, and US$2.2 million to UNOPS. The projects target key national priorities including maternal and child health, medical waste management, and climate-resilient agriculture through technology and innovation.

The initiative comes as Zimbabwe continues to strengthen systems following the 2024 drought and a cholera outbreak, both of which underscored the need for robust water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure.

UNICEF will lead two projects, including the RISE initiative which introduces Bebbo 360 a mobile parenting app adapted to local languages and an anti-wasting programme in Mbire District.

UNOPS is addressing medical waste by installing three WHO-compliant smokeless incinerators in Harare and Bulawayo, serving an estimated two million people. UNDP is piloting AI and drone technology to protect small grain crops from Quelea birds, while WFP will provide targeted lean season food assistance to over 17,000 households.

The Government of Zimbabwe has reiterated its commitment to working with development partners to accelerate progress towards national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).