RESIDENTS of Bulawayo and Harare are set to benefit from a US$3,5 million climate resilience initiative launched by the Environment, Climate and Wildlife ministry.
The Sustainable Cities Integrated Project will roll out urban farming, tree planting and land rehabilitation projects on nine sites in both cities.
It is funded under the Global Environment Facility’s Cycle 8 programme and implemented with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
The project, officially titled Urban and Peri-urban Resilience through Investment in Sustainable Ecosystems, will be carried out by City of Bulawayo, City of Harare and the Environmental Management Agency.
Launching the programme on Friday last week, Environment, Climate and Wildlife minister Evelyn Ndlovu said it would benefit the capital city and Zimbabwe’s second largest city.
“This will benefit residents from both Bulawayo and Harare,” Ndlovu said, adding that the initiative was aimed at strengthening communities’ ability to withstand climate shocks.
In Bulawayo, acting mayor Mpumelelo Moyo said council would make full use of the funds.
“We are committed to implementing the projects that will build resilience taking advantage of the availed funds,” he said.
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Moyo said the Bulawayo rollout would cover Magwegwe Nutritional Gardens, Luveve Agro-Forestry Plots, the West Nutrition Garden Area and MaMkhwananzi Garden in Old Lobengula.
“It will also include rehabilitation of degraded land in Cowdray Park, tree planting initiatives across the city, restoration of the Hillside Dams Conservancy and development of the Nkulumane Safe Market,” he said.
Officials said the focus was on promoting urban and peri-urban agriculture, restoring degraded ecosystems and creating safer market spaces to help communities to adapt to climate challenges.
