heks

Zimbabwe has undergone a severe economic and social crisis that reached its peak in 2008. The country is now slowly recovering from the years that were marked by record inflation, an unemployment rate of nearly ninety per cent, the decline of social structures, a continuing high proportion of HIV/AIDS-infected patients (fifteen per cent in 2009) and violent political oppression.

Since 2009, the Government of National Unity has sought to put a stop to record inflation and the misuse of national institutions to serve the government’s own ends. Despite everything, Zimbabwe remains a very unstable country and it is difficult for the economy to gain momentum. The country is still subject to international sanctions and politically motivated acts of violence continue to terrorise the population, particularly during elections.

The HEKS country programme for the period 2011 to 2014 has set itself the aim of helping to bring about a sustained improvement in the living conditions of women and men in rural areas and of supporting the contribution of these people to the development of a peaceful society.

Aims, points of focus, initiatives:

The country programme concentrates on the following key issues:

1. Food security and rural development

• To facilitate access to resources for ordinary farmers
• To ensure that the people with whom HEKS works have more sustainable, organic and environmentally sound production capacity
• To promote access to markets by processing products
• To develop smallholder associations, support groups and cooperatives
• To incorporate aspects of climate change and disaster preparedness
• To promote an approach based on human rights and gender equality
• To ensure that skills are passed on to population groups in isolated rural areas
• To support young people in the development of sustainable and achievable means of livelihood

2. Promotion of peace through the strengthening of civil society, support for citizens and pressure on the government to eliminate social injustice.