World Vision Zimbabwe steps up disaster response efforts amid heightened vulnerability
World Vision Zimbabwe has pledged more support for millions of vulnerable communities at a time when the country is experiencing an increase in natural disasters, it has emerged. The charity organisation celebrated its 50th anniversary in Harare recently with partners, government and beneficiaries converging to honour its achievements and commitments to future relief projects. In an address to event attendees, World Vision Zimbabwe (WVZ) national director Assan Golowa said the organisation remains committed to serving the most vulnerable communities as has been reflected in their efforts in the past. “Recently, the country and region has suffered recurring disasters as a result of climate change. “World Vision Zimbabwe was the first responder of choice, a rating given by the Manicaland Province who indicated that the organisation demonstrated a comprehensive response focusing on all critical facets of well-being including shelter, food assistance, child protection, education among others,” he said. WVZ works with various organisations to regularly modify and align policies relating to children, families and communities in the country to keep up with the evolving circumstances. To date, WVZ has positively impacted the lives of millions of vulnerable children in Zimbabwe. “We at World Vision Zimbabwe are mostly proud of the at least 2,5 million vulnerable children’s smiles that we are directly responsible for every year,” said Golowa, adding that the United Nations has given them the responsibility of serving a unique community in Zimbabwe. “The United Nations has entrusted World Vision Zimbabwe with a very special community that we have the privilege of serving in Zimbabwe, it houses the largest primary school in Chipinge District with a total 3 600 enrolments, 16 nationalities and 16 000 people of concern,” he said. Golowa also added that after 50 years of sustained and uninterrupted service to Zimbabwean communities, the organisation was engaging more partners and acquiring more resources to widen the scope of their mission. Meanwhile, Commissioner for Refugees in Zimbabwe, Totamirepi Tirivavi praised WVZ for its efforts in assisting vulnerable children and communities across the country and recommended them to look out for children of refugees. “We invite World Vision to help with children of refugees because they are as important as the children of Zimbabwe,” he said. Addressing at the same gathering World Vision Southern Africa regional director Mark Kelly said the organisation seeks to make a positive change in young individuals’ lives so they can also help more within their communities. “Our aim is to change the lives of the children so that these children will give back to their communities,” he said.