The British government said its assistance to Zimbabwe of $130 million this year and in 2012 would be the highest ever, targeting social projects including health, education and support for rural folks.
British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Deborah Bronnert said: “Through the Department of International Development (DFID) the UK government is channelling $130 million towards projects in Zimbabwe which is UK’s largest support to Zimbabwe ever.
These projects support the provision of basic services in health, education, water and sanitation among others, targeting millions of Zimbabweans particularly women and children.”
DFID says it was targeting one million people to be provided with access to clean water with 580 000 more to be provided with access to improved sanitation facilities.
Ambassador Bronnert added there was an 85% increase in trade between UK and Zimbabwe in the first half of 2011 and those affected by the “so-called sanctions” were minus one in 70 000 as only 163 individuals and 31 companies were listed for their human rights abuses.
On governance, Bronnert said : “Our work on governance aims to help prepare the ground for credible elections.”
