heks

The regional programme for southern Africa covers Zimbabwe and South Africa. Zimbabwe is living through a crisis of unprecedented proportions. The situation has been steadily deteriorating since the year 2000. The telltale signs are alarming: eighty per cent unemployment and record levels of inflation.

Twenty per cent of the population is HIV-positive or suffering from AIDS, and there is a shortage of food and basic necessities. Political violence and oppression are the order of the day. HEKS supports its local partner organisations in overcoming this crisis together with the people. Projects are being run for secure food supplies (agriculture and income generation) and the promotion of peace.

In South Africa political apartheid has given way to economic apartheid. It is fourteen years since the establishment of democracy and the situation of the poor has barely improved. The population in the townships is not becoming any smaller and is suffering huge poverty, violence and inequality. The rate of unemployment in the country is running at forty per cent, with most unemployed people living in the townships. Several million migrants – including two to three million from Zimbabwe – are living in the country illegally or legally or awaiting status. As a result acts of violence motivated by xenophobia or racism are rife.

This AIDS epidemic is also claiming victims: in certain provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal 25 per cent of the population is HIV-positive or suffering from AIDS. HEKS is active in South Africa with its local partner organisations in the following three provinces: Johannesburg, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.

Aims, points of focus, initiatives:

The regional programme is divided into three main areas:

1. Promotion of peace: The civilian population is being strengthened. It is receiving support on its way to a pacifist society. Pressure is being exerted on the Government to act effectively for the reduction of poverty and for social justice.
2. Security of food supplies and rural development: Disadvantaged communities in rural areas are being supported to give them access to land and public services. Communities and individuals in rural areas are also being given the necessary skills and resources to enable them to build a life of dignity.
3. Transfer of knowledge and income generation (creation of jobs): Individuals, particularly young people, are being supported in the acquisition of the skills they need to compete in the jobs market.
   Particular support is being given to young people to set up micro-enterprises to guarantee them a minimum income.

Should circumstances require and framework conditions allow it, humanitarian aid projects may also be run.