Zim Gets US8m EU Funds For Children

In Zimbabwe the European Union provides direct aid to the population, through its support for agriculture, food security and social sectors, including health and education.

“This contribution expands upon the first Programme of Support to the National Action Plan (NAP) for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) that since 2007 has received Euro 10 million (over US$14 million) from
the European Union. This aid was vital in protecting children and providing essential welfare support during the crisis in 2008 -9,” said the Head of the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Aldo
Dell’Ariccia.

Ambassador Dell’Ariccia added that over half a million OVCs have already received support through the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), which was essential to keep them in school. The new Social Cash Transfer programme provides a promising new way to effectively channel assistance to Zimbabwe’s children who are most in need of support.

This contribution is aimed at providing support to the most vulnerable portions of the Zimbabwean population, in particular its orphans and vulnerable children. The contribution will be pooled with other donor
resources in the Child Protection Fund (CPF) managed by UNICEF, that finances and supports the Government of Zimbabwe’s National Action Plan for Phase Two: 2011- 2015 (NAP II).

The project is part of the EU support in the context of the political dialogue between Zimbabwe and the European Union.