Poverty Alleviation Trust

27/07/2026

Press Statement by Poverty Alleviation Trust (PAT)
Date: July 27, 2026
Location: Chipinge, Manicaland, Zimbabwe

Human‑Wildlife Conflict in Chipinge: A Call for Inclusive Action

The Poverty Alleviation Trust (PAT) expresses deep concern over the recent deaths of elephants in Save Conservancy, a tragic reminder of the escalating human‑wildlife conflict in Chipinge District. As human settlements expand and natural habitats shrink, communities and wildlife are increasingly forced into direct competition for space and resources.

Human‑wildlife conflict is not only a conservation challenge but also a development and humanitarian issue. It threatens food security, livelihoods, and community wellbeing, while driving vulnerable species toward extinction. As WWF notes, “effective, well‑planned, inclusive, sustainable management approaches can reduce conflict in the long term and create opportunities and benefits for impacted communities.”

Key Drivers in Chipinge
- Habitat loss from unplanned settlement expansion and deforestation.
- Agricultural practices that bring people and wildlife into closer contact.
- Climate change intensifying droughts and altering wildlife movement patterns.

PAT’s Call to Action
To move from conflict to coexistence, PAT urges:
- Community‑led coexistence programs that empower local voices in decision‑making.
- Physical barriers and innovative deterrents to protect crops and households.
- Early‑warning systems to reduce surprise encounters.
- Financial compensation schemes to ease the burden on affected families.
- Inclusive partnerships among communities, government, NGOs, and private sector actors to ensure long‑term solutions.

Conclusion
The deaths of elephants in Save Conservancy must serve as a wake‑up call. Protecting wildlife and safeguarding communities are not mutually exclusive goals. With inclusive planning, adaptive management, and shared responsibility, Chipinge can become a model of coexistence where

22/07/2026

Women in Chipinge Are Leading Climate Justice 🌾

In Chipinge Ward 3, women are reclaiming power over their farms in the face of erratic rains and drought.

Instead of waiting, they are making their own compost, restoring soil, planting diverse crops, and leading agroecology in their communities.

With support from Green Governance Zw in partnership with ActionAid Zimbabwe (funded by Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke) under the Strategic Partnership (SPAII) Project, these women are proving that climate resilience grows when communities control the solutions.

Hildah Mufundirwa, a member of the Mutema Agroecology Demonstration Garden says she has observed improved vegetable quality and shelf life since adopting manure-based soil management.

“At the Mutema Garden we use chicken and goat manure. The vegetables taste better and they last longer. Our tomatoes can go more than a week after harvesting. With fertilisers, they rot quickly,” said Hildah.

Portia Muzama reports that she now contributes to school and milling costs and has a greater voice in decisions about farming, household expenditure and the use of income earned from produce. She and her husband jointly discuss what to plant, how much produce to sell and how the proceeds will be used.

“I have gained respect in my family and my relationship with my husband has grown stronger,” said Portia.

This is in action: investing in women, agroecology, and community-led adaptation.

Because there can be

14/07/2026

05/07/2026

As an organisation committed to poverty reduction in Chipinge District we started a community garden in Chipinge South ward 24 near Checheche Growth Point. We have tomatoes, onions and green vegetables.

03/06/2026

All smiles as community members in some wards of Chipinge district proudly show off part of their harvest after receiving drought-tolerant sorghum and cowpea seeds through the Southern African Compounded Crisis (SACC) project, funded by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The harvest is a testament to the impact of the initiative which is helping strengthen the resilience and food security of vulnerable households affected by disasters and crises.
Together, we are supporting communities to build a more secure and sustainable future.

14/05/2026

07/05/2026

We kicked off Quarter 1 in Chipinge, Mahenye Ward 29 and Tongogara Refugee Settlement facilitating critical conversations on protection where they are needed most

This goal is to ensure that young women from crisis affected communities are driving their own protection, protection of their rights in crisis is prioritised and appropriately resourced

24/04/2026

Women in Mahenye Speak out about disaster response preparedness for Chipinge civil protection unit

24/04/2026

23/04/2026

Mahenye Dialogue Calls for Reform

On 21 April 2026, Poverty Alleviation Trust joined CRRT, Green Institute Trust, YETT, ActionAid Zimbabwe, Chipinge RDC, and PYCD at Mahenye Primary School for a Safe Space Dialogue.

The meeting came after the Lisungwe floods, which exposed gaps in disaster preparedness. Communities stressed that rescue alone is not enough—Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Act must be modernized to prioritize women’s protection, rapid response, and resilience-building.

📻 Community radios were highlighted as lifelines for early warnings and amplifying grassroots voices. Together, civil society, government, and traditional leaders united to call for stronger laws and partnerships to protect vulnerable groups.

ClimateJustice