Empower refugees in Zimbabwe to plant 50,000 trees

Over the past three months, thanks to the generous financial support of GlobalGiving donors and the additional gratitude fund awarded to the Refugee Coalition for Climate Action (RCCA) as the "Project of the Month Club," our work has made a significant impact on environmental protection and resilience building within the Tongogara Refugee Settlement.

Tree Planting Initiative
On January 27–28, 2025, RCCA successfully distributed 580 fruit and non-fruit trees to the Tongogara refugee community. This initiative is part of our community engagement strategy, which promotes the tree-planting approach for households and community centers as a means of enhancing resilience to climate change while regreening our community. By encouraging refugees to plant trees within their homesteads, we aim to foster a culture of environmental responsibility and community-based leadership as an effective way of mitigating and adapting to the adverse effects of climate change.

Community Orchard Development
We are pleased to announce that our community orchard, funded by GlobalGiving donors, is now complete and ready to accommodate 270 fruit trees. To date, approximately 150 fruit trees, including mango, orange, guava, and lemon, have been planted, and planting activities are ongoing. If resources permit, we plan to implement agroforestry practices to integrate tree planting with agricultural production, improving both environmental sustainability and food security within the settlement.

Neem Tree Distribution
As part of our environmental protection efforts, RCCA will distribute 300 neem seedlings to local shops and churches within the Tongogara Refugee Settlement on Friday, January 14, and Monday, January 24. Neem trees are highly tolerant of harsh summer conditions and are among the most suitable species for our region. Their medicinal properties and ability to act as natural pesticides while not shedding leaves year-round make them a valuable addition to our community’s green spaces.

Land Allocation for Environmental Protection
Our ongoing environmental initiatives have created positive momentum within the community. As a result, the local authorities (Tongogara Refugee Settlement Authority) have allocated a 1,344-square-meter piece of land to RCCA's nursery to further enhance our climate and environmental protection activities. This land will be utilized for expanding our nursery and ensuring reforestation projects while raising some trees for sale as part of our organization's efforts to build financial sustainability.

Through these collective efforts, RCCA remains committed to fostering a greener, more resilient refugee community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors and supporters for making these initiatives possible.

Together, can promote meaningful refugee participation in communities they seek refuge!

Links:

• All the updates to our works is posted on our Twitter page

Dear Donors and Supporters,

We hope this report finds you well. In our second report of the year, we express our sincere gratitude for your continued support to our project, "Empower Refugees in Zimbabwe to Plant 50,000 Trees." This impactful refugee-led project is addressing environmental degradation and climate change in Zimbabwe's Tongogara Settlement.

Since our project began in January 2024, we have made significant progress toward our vision of planting 50,000 trees by 2030. Educating the community on climate-smart food production. As of today, we have planted over 1,240 trees and are still raising 2,600 more at our nursery garden. We have trained 15 young people in nursery management and seed production.

Our first orchard, spanning 4,560 square meters, has been fully fenced and is ready to accommodate approximately 657 trees with a 2.5m spacing. Planting will begin on November 1st, when the rains start in Zimbabwe.

Your efforts are continuing to enhance the greenery in our public spaces, improve food and nutrition security for 65 households, enhance the ecological and seed care skills of 17 young people, and ensure community engagement in schools. Our work benefits the environment, fosters community-based adaptation, and promotes resilience through diversified food production.

We appreciate your continued support and are motivated by it. Your donations have significantly improved the lives of refugees and the host community. We look forward to continuing our work together to achieve our goal of planting 50,000 trees and creating a more sustainable future for all in Tongogara Refugee Settlement by 2030.

Thank you for your generous support!

My Sincere regards,