Zimbabwe: addressing the water and sanitation needs of the rural poor in the context of HIV/AIDS

This new UNICEF project will mainstream livelihoods issues into the water and sanitation programme in Zimbabwe. The livelihoods approach will be mainstreamed, for example, by developing water services in such a way that water points can be used for small-scale productive uses such as watering of cattle and nutritional gardens. Particular attention will be given to families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. By providing access to water for small-scale productive uses, orphans and vulnerable children are expected to improve their nutrition and food security status. In addition to direct service provision to the rural poor, attention will be paid in the project to capacity building of civil society and local government, so that the livelihoods approach to water can be replicated locally. Documentation of lessons learnt and dissemination within the sector are also important components. The project will run for five years and is funded by the EU Water Facility. Apart from UNICEF, three more organisations will be involved in the implementation, the Mvuramanzi Trust, IWSD and IRC.