March, 27, 2010

After the signing of the Global Political Agreement and formation of the inclusive government, Southern African Development Community states — in the spirit of good neighbourliness — came up with a package to help Zimbabwe recover from the devastating effects of a decade-long economic meltdown precipitated by sanctions imposed by the West.Although government had indicated that a massive $8 billion was needed to reconstruct the economy, $2 billion is needed in the short term.

While the regional community made it clear that member states could not provide the bulk of the money because of the size of their own economies, they pledged to give something within their means to the country's economic recovery efforts while they helped mobilise for the balance.Countries that pledged assistance included South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Malawi while Mozambique pledged to supply power from its mega Cahora Bassa dam.

.

.