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International Relief and Development (IRD) is implementing the USAID/OFDA- supported Peri- urban ROOFtop Rainwater `Harvesting (PROOF)`program to ensure provision of safe water to some high density and rural areas in Zimbabwe.
Access to safe clean water remains a challenge to most people in Zimbabwe. Old water reticulation infrastructure and seepage from similarly old sewage systems to the water supply exposes the population to contaminated water. Designed as an interim measure to the water supply problems and funded by USAID/OFDA to the tune of USD$ 4.6 million, PROOF provides clean water to schools and residential areas through the installation of rooftop rain water harvesting (RWH) systems in high density areas in Harare, Chitungwiza and Mutare as well as the rural district of Buhera.
RWH systems are simple, consisting of gutters attached to the roof and a water storage tank. RWH systems provide abundant clean water during the rainy season, when the highest incident of water borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever are observed. With regulated consumption and sufficient water storage capacity, RWH systems can provide drinking water all year round.
Implemented in two phases which started in June 2009 and end in June 2011, PROOF has installed RWH systems for 2,653 households and eight schools. This has resulted in 26,321 total beneficiaries. All components of the RWH systems are manufactured locally in Zimbabwe, creating jobs in the local industry and the conditions for the introduction of RWH systems in the free market.
Although the goal is to improve access to clean water in targeted areas, IRD also uses PROOF as an opportunity to engage communities in water, sanitation and health activities as well as to demonstrate the simple RWH technology to other NGOs and local institutions.
IRD is a non-profit humanitarian and development organization dedicated to improving the lives and livelihoods of the world’s most vulnerable people. IRD specializes in conflict and post-conflict environments and works in more than 40 countries. With the help of local groups and donors, IRD builds sustainable, community-based programs that address relief, stabilization and development needs in the areas of health, agriculture, infrastructure, emergency response and governance.