Japan, UNDP Inject US$3.4 Million to Clear Landmines, Empower Border Communities in Zimbabwe

Staff Reporter

Harare – Border communities in Rushinga and Mudzi districts are set to breathe a sigh of relief after the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a US$3.4 million project to accelerate landmine clearance and restore livelihoods in Zimbabwe’s eastern borderlands.

The initiative, titled “Enhancing Resilience of Communities through Mine Clearance and the Improvement of Agricultural Infrastructure”, will tackle the decades-old landmine contamination that has haunted communities since the liberation struggle.

For more than 40 years, families living along Zimbabwe’s border with Mozambique have faced the daily danger of unexploded ordnance (UXO) buried in their fields, close to their homes, and near vital water sources.

Although the contaminated area has reduced over time, about 12 square kilometres remain littered with anti-personnel landmines, roughly 4% of the original 310 km² minefield. The presence of these remnants of war has stalled agricultural expansion, threatened lives, and stifled community development.

By addressing this challenge, the new project aims not only to make land safe but also to release fertile ground for farming, ensuring communities can reclaim their livelihoods.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Harare, Ambassador of Japan to Zimbabwe, H.E. Mr. Shinichi Yamanaka, said the partnership symbolised Japan’s enduring support for peace, development, and human security.

“Japan is a steadfast partner in promoting peace across the globe and holds the Presidency of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention this year,” he said.

“We are proud to support Zimbabwe in its journey to become landmine-free. This project is not only about removing the deadly remnants of war but also about restoring hope, enabling development, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) Approach. Through this assistance, we reaffirm our friendship and solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe.”

Japan will contribute US$3 million, while UNDP will add US$400,000 to the programme.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Zimbabwe, Mr. Lealem Berhanu Dinku, stressed that the project goes beyond mine clearance to integrate development, climate resilience, and social cohesion.

“The legacy of conflict has for too long held back the potential of Zimbabwe’s borderlands,” he said.

“This vital project, generously funded by the people of Japan, allows us to address the fundamental issue of human security. Integrating mine clearance with sustainable development, climate action, and social cohesion creates pathways for communities to recover and thrive. This is a critical step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and supporting Zimbabwe’s vision of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030.”

The initiative will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Defence through the Zimbabwe Mine Action Centre (ZIMAC), working in partnership with HALO Trust and the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) to direct mine clearance operations.

At the same time, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development will lead agricultural rehabilitation, ensuring cleared land is productively used. Communities will benefit from mine risk education and victim assistance, improved agricultural infrastructure, training in diversified livelihoods, including the SHEP model, strengthened institutional capacity for long-term mine action.

The project’s integrated design is expected to unlock safe land for farming, enhance food security, and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities.

Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), which obligates the country to clear all known mined areas. This latest partnership represents a significant step towards meeting those commitments while contributing to broader national development goals.

For communities in Rushinga and Mudzi, the initiative promises not only physical safety but also the chance to reclaim their dignity and rebuild their livelihoods, turning battlefields of the past into farmlands of the future.

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