Australian Embassy

Zimbabwe

Address: 1 Green Close, Borrowdale, Harare - Telephone: +263 4 852 471 - Fax: +263 4 870 566

Development Cooperation

The Australian Agency for International Development

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is the Australian Government agency responsible for managing Australia's overseas aid program. The objective of the Australian aid program is to assist developing countries reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development, in line with Australia's national interest.

AusAID provides advice and support to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on development policy, and plans and coordinates poverty reduction activities in partnership with developing countries. AusAID leads and coordinates Australia's responses to humanitarian and disasters crises and represents Australia in international development forums.

AusAID is strongly committed to evaluating and improving Australia's aid program and to collecting, analysing and publishing development data and other information.

AusAID's head office is in Canberra. AusAID also has representatives in 37 Australian diplomatic missions overseas.

NEWS - As part of the Federal Budget handed down on 10 May 2011, Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan announced that Australia will increase its development assistance to Africa by a further AUD $90 million in 2011-12 bringing its total to AUD$291.3 million (approximately US$305 million). For more information, click here.

Partnering with people: Australia’s Assistance to Zimbabwe

Australia’s development assistance to Zimbabwe is an important part of our engagement with Africa. We recognise the urgent need to help rebuild Zimbabwe, and the Inclusive Government under the GPA has given us the opportunity to contribute to early recovery efforts. We will continue to work in areas where Australia has considerable experience and expertise. Managed by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the Australian Government’s international development assistance program is working to make a real difference for the people of Zimbabwe in the critical development areas of;

water and sanitation;
agriculture and food security;
education;
institutional strengthening; and
by promoting economic growth.

We bring an Australian flavour to our development program based on our unique experience in water and agriculture. Australia increased support to the people of Zimbabwe in response to chronic food shortages and the outbreak of cholera in 2008-09.

Since agriculture in Zimbabwe began to show the first steps to recovery in 2009, Australia has been promoting market-friendly agricultural practices. In December 2009, Australia became the founding donor of the Zimbabwe Window of the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, which supports innovative, pro-poor commercial projects to stimulate the rural economy. Australian support will impact the lives of more than 1.8 million people through the creation of rural jobs and higher incomes.

By distributing seeds and fertiliser to 376,000 farmers for the 2009-10 agricultural season, Australia’s funding, through the Protracted Relief Programme, has helped almost two million Zimbabweans grow more food. Improving the livelihoods of these individuals has the knock on benefit of helping their families and communities.

Australia’s water and sanitation program is improving the health and quality of life of Zimbabweans, particularly the poor and vulnerable. The Australian Government is currently supporting projects in urban centres and rural areas across Zimbabwe including Harare, Bulawayo, Rusape, Masvingo, and Zvishavene.

Delivery of Australia’s assistance would not be possible without our partners. Australia delivers aid through a range of partners, including multi-lateral agencies, other donors and non government organisations (NGOs). Australia’s major partners in Zimbabwe are: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Vision Australia and other accredited Australian NGOs, the UK Department for International Development (DFID); key managing contractors, and the World Bank. All these partners are competitively selected to help us build the best program we can.

Through our partnership with UNICEF, Australia has funded the rehabilitation of water and sanitation systems used by more than two million people in Zimbabwe, dramatically reducing the number of cholera cases which devastated the country in 2008.

Australia has also contributed over $9 million to a multi-donor trust fund managed by the African Development Bank. In this endeavour we are pleased to join the Governments of Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom in investing in the economic recovery of Zimbabwe. Important work in the water and power sectors seeks to improve access to these essential resources including through improvements to the Hwange power station.

In other important areas such as education and health we support national programs to encourage economic growth and restore basic services. We look forward to continuing to work with Zimbabwe in its recovery efforts.

The Direct Aid Program

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a flexible, small grants scheme for development activities managed by Heads of Australian Missions in approximately 45 countries. The emphasis of the program is on alleviating basic humanitarian hardships.
The DAP has provided funding for 149 projects since 2003. The 2010-11 call for applications closed in January and successful applicants have been notified. DAP projects are receiving funding for the 2010-11 financial year in the areas of health, education, community building, and assistance for people with disabilties.