CARE in Zimbabwe

CARE started its operations in Zimbabwe in 1992, and now works with some of the poorest communities in Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe we:

distribute emergency food aid and supplementary feeding
establish food-for-work programmes
improve agricultural, for example by teaching farmers new techniques
support small businesses, for example by providing access to savings and loans

We have successfully helped many communities in the Masvingo and Midlands Provinces - areas with arid to semi-arid climates that can support livestock but allow only low production of crops – to become increasingly self-sufficient.

CARE in action:

Fighting HIV and AIDS
A land-locked country in southern Africa, Zimbabwe has one of the highest HIV and AIDS prevalence rates in the world.

The increased health care costs and a reduction in people’s productivity as many people fall ill or die from AIDS-related diseases are proving to be big challenges for the country.

Our work in this area focuses on helping those living with HIV and AIDS to support themselves financially. By providing them with employment or small loans to start up businesses they can earn money for themselves and become self-sufficient. We work with the most vulnerable – young people, widows, orphans and commercial sex workers, as well as those who take care of family members with the disease.

Earning a decent living
We are working with the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe to allow a greater number of small, poor entrepreneurs to access financial services in urban and rural areas. More than 10,000 people have benefitted from this and can now access cash.