African Development Bank to release $24.7mn to Zimbabwe for post-cyclone recovery

A deal was recently signed by the African Development Bank Group with an objective to support Zimbabwe's post-cyclone Idai recovery plans with USD 24.7 million.

The mission is to playing a lead role in helping to restore livelihood and infrastructure in areas most hit by the 2019 disaster.

In March this year, cyclone Idai hit Zimbabwe, causing loss of lives, devastation, displacement and extensive damage to infrastructure in some eight districts. The African Development Bank Group initially responded to the calamity with USD 250,000 to support the humanitarian aid response.

The latest support, from the African Development Bank or AfDB's Transitional Support Facility and regional resource envelopes, reaffirms AfDB's continued commitment to Zimbabwe as displayed through its consistent engagement in the country, said Bank country manager Damoni Kitabire while signing an agreement for the USD 24.7 million assistance.

"As your Bank, we will stand with you and support you as you endeavor to revive the economy with progressive market-oriented policies," Damoni Kitabire said. Other signatories to the agreement are the Zimbabwean government and the UN Office for Project Services, an arm of the world body that supports peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects, focusing on infrastructure, procurement and project management.

Kitabire also urged the Zimbabwean government to continue its macro-economic reforms and, in particular, efforts aimed at attracting adequate foreign exchange necessary for full restoration of fiscal stability and the rebuilding of basic infrastructure.

On the other hand, the project will be implemented by the UN Office for Project Services in a period of over three years in association with the government and the affected communities in the most hard-hit districts of Chimanimani and Chipinge in Manicaland province, with a combined population of around 434,000. It has also been revealed that the Zimbabwean government would provide USD 3.2 million to co-finance the project titled 'Post Cyclone Idai Emergency Recovery and Resilience Programme'.

"The gesture symbolises the strong partnership and deep cooperation between Zimbabwe and its partners, in responding to emergency needs in the wake of the tropical cyclone which sadly caused loss of lives and livelihoods as well as damage to infrastructure," said Mthuli Ncube, Zimbabwe's Minister of Finance and Economic Development said with an expression of gratitude to AfDB for its continuous support.

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