THE Japanese government has pledged approximately US$2 million towards strengthening Zimbabwe’s health systems and food security.
The funding will be channelled through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
The support will be implemented through four transformative projects under the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) using Japan’s 2025 Supplementary Budget.
The initiatives aim to strengthen infection prevention and control in health facilities, enhance rapid malaria diagnosis and treatment, and boost food security through youth-led innovations that address market access challenges for farmers.
Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe Shinichi Maekawa said the initiative seeks to tackle key development challenges affecting communities across the country.
We are pleased to support the valuable work of the United Nations agencies in addressing critical development, health and food security challenges in the country, with Japan providing approximately US$2 million in funding to the participating UN agencies,” Maekawa said in a statement yesterday.
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Of the total funding, US$1,1 million has been allocated to UNOPS, US$834 000 to WFP, while WHO will receive US$87 000.
“Japan is confident that these initiatives will contribute meaningfully to accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, strengthening national systems and improving the health, nutrition and well-being of communities across Zimbabwe,” he said.
The support comes as Zimbabwe battles a surge in malaria cases recorded since April 2025, largely driven by climate-related shocks, disruptions to routine health services and increasing pressure on the public health system.
“The surge in malaria has strained health facilities, particularly in rural areas, and persistent transmission of infectious and waterborne diseases continues to pose serious risks,” Maekawa said.
“At the same time, limited access to markets, technology, and advisory services affects smallholder farmers and youth-led agri-tech initiatives.”
Under the programme, UNOPS will implement two projects aimed at strengthening infection prevention and control in health facilities.
“The interventions include the procurement and installation of modern hospital laundry and disinfection equipment to improve hygiene standards and reduce hospital-acquired infections, as well as the deployment of patient transfer ambulances and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to rural health centres in high-burden malaria districts,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, WFP will support youth-led digital innovations designed to improve market access and agricultural productivity.
“WFP will strengthen food and nutrition security in Zimbabwe by supporting transformative, youth-led digital innovations aimed at tackling persistent gaps in market access for farmers, advisory services, mechanisation and disease surveillance.
“The project empowers 12 youth-led teams and innovators to design scalable, home-grown solutions expected to benefit 1 200 smallholder farmers by improving access to markets, reducing losses, enabling early disease detection and lowering the cost and inefficiency of value-chain operations, ultimately driving resilience, inclusion and the modernisation of Zimbabwe’s food systems,” the statement said.
WHO’s intervention will focus on responding to the malaria outbreak by strengthening rapid diagnosis and treatment, particularly for vulnerable groups.
“The project aims to reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five, pregnant women and remote communities, by strengthening health facility and community capacities, ensuring rapid diagnosis and treatment, and integrating mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) for patients into emergency health services.
“Through this intervention, up to 231 320 people in targeted districts are expected to gain timely access to malaria services, while health workers will be trained and supported in malaria case management, surveillance, rapid response and MHPSS delivery.”