SAVE the Children in Zimbabwe, working with Nutrition Action Zimbabwe and government ministries, is taking essential health, nutrition and protection services closer to communities in remote parts of Binga affected by climate shocks.
The organisation this week hosted an European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) delegation in Binga, where it is implementing an integrated nutrition, health and protection programme targeting vulnerable communities.
In a statement, Save the Children in Zimbabwe said families living more than 30 kilometres from the nearest health facility faced daily challenges in accessing healthcare.
“For families living beyond the 30 km radius of the nearest clinic, accessing healthcare is a daily barrier,” the organisation said.
“ This programme bridges that gap by supporting the Ministry of Health and Child Care to bring essential services nearer to the communities.”
The organisation said the strength of the programme lay in the integration of health, nutrition and protection interventions, allowing communities to access several essential services through the same outreach platforms.
“During community outreach, mobile teams provide healthcare services such as under-five MUAC screenings, weight checks, blood pressure monitoring, immunisation, Vitamin A boosters, family planning, and vital mental health counselling for pregnant and lactating mothers and other community members,” Save the Children said.
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Village Health Workers are also being supported to mobilise communities for health services, while Community Childcare Workers lead protection interventions.
“Community Childcare Workers lead protection efforts, identifying cases and guiding families through SGBV awareness and referral pathways,” the organisation said.
The programme is being implemented in partnership with Nutrition Action Zimbabwe and government ministries, with the aim of strengthening access to essential services for communities facing geographical and climate-related challenges.
During their visit, the ECHO delegation interacted directly with community members and local stakeholders to understand the conditions facing families in the area.
“The ECHO delegation spent time interacting directly with community members and local stakeholders, gaining a firsthand understanding of the context, realities, and resilience challenges these families face,” Save the Children said.
The organisation said integrating protection with health and nutrition was helping ensure that vulnerable communities received more comprehensive support.
“By wrapping protection around health and nutrition, we are ensuring that essential care reaches those who need it most,” it said.
