Zimbabwe short on climate change funds

IRIN: Inadequate funding and limited resources are frustrating Zimbabwe’s efforts to develop plans to deal with the impact of climate change, says a government progress report.

Zimbabwe has been facing political and financial turmoil for more than a decade, derailing the government’s ability to function and respond to crises.

Sparse and erratic rains have already caused the water table to drop, affecting the country’s ability to produce food and contributing to the spread of water-borne diseases. In 2008, the country experienced one of the worst cholera outbreaks recorded anywhere in recent years; the outbreak killed at least 4,000 people and infected 100,000 others.

The government report, Strengthening the National Capacity for Climate Change, says Zimbabwe lacks the funds needed to hold a workshop to identify a National Implementing Entity, an accredited body able to receive direct financial transfers from the Adaptation Fund in Zimbabwe. The Adaptation Fund, set up under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is the most important source of funds to help developing countries adapt to climate change.

The government also lacks sufficient funds to devise a national strategy, review the work of its technical team on climate change or conduct advocacy work to raise awareness of climate change, the report says....