Zimbabwe is facing a health crisis with the emergence of drug-resistant strains of diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Between 2017 and 2019, outbreaks infected thousands, and the usual frontline antibiotics were ineffective. A study by the Mapping Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Partnership, led by the African Society for Laboratory Medicine, gave Zimbabwe a 66 percent drug resistance index, indicating a high risk of antimicrobial resistant pathogens. Tapiwanashe Kujinga, director of the Pan-African Treatment Access Movement, attributes the resistance to medication misuse and incomplete treatment courses. Edwin Muguti, former deputy health minister, also cites inappropriate prescriptions by general practitioners and pharmacists. The country is working on a National Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan with support from the UK's Fleming Fund, focusing on surveillance and reducing drug resistance burden.

In Penhalonga, Zimbabwe, illegal gold mining activities are causing severe ecological damage, including deforestation, water pollution, and mercury contamination. The local economy's collapse has driven many to mine gold, with an estimated 800,000 people involved in illegal mining. The use of mercury, a neurotoxin, in gold extraction is widespread despite health risks and international efforts to ban its use. Studies have shown increased mercury levels in local populations, with serious health implications. Efforts are being made to introduce safer gold extraction methods, such as using sodium borate.

Chinese companies have heavily invested in Zimbabwe's lithium, aiming to secure a significant share of the global EV battery supply chain. Despite being displaced by the $130 million Sabi Star lithium mine, locals like Wonder Mushove are hopeful for regional upliftment. Zimbabwe's lithium reserves, the largest in Africa, have attracted over $1.4 billion in Chinese investments, with more expected. The government, under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, aspires to make Zimbabwe a battery manufacturing hub, despite concerns over resource governance and community benefits. Chinese battery giants like BYD are sourcing lithium from Zimbabwe, and investments in processing infrastructure are underway. However, challenges remain, including the need for value addition and regional cooperation to fully capitalize on the energy transition.

In Zimbabwe, bees are facing threats from climate change, pesticides, habitat loss, and poor colony management, which are pushing them towards extinction. Bees are crucial for pollination and support the livelihoods of over 50,000 beekeepers in the country. Professional beekeepers Ishmael Sithole and Willet Mutisi have established a bee sanctuary in Mutare to protect bees and provide them with safe habitats. The sanctuary also serves as a training center for colony management and a site for 'apitourism', a form of ecotourism. Despite challenges, the sanctuary offers benefits such as fresh local honey, hive products, and swarm removal services. The initiative has received support from the local community, who recognize the importance of bees in preserving the environment and preventing deforestation.

Zimbabwean farmers have adapted to climate change by implementing rainwater harvesting strategies, which have proven effective in mitigating the effects of droughts and floods. These low-cost, scalable methods could be beneficial for small-scale farmers in the US, particularly in states like California, which faces similar climate challenges. Nonprofit organizations in Zimbabwe, such as Muonde Trust and Bopoma Villages, are leading grassroots efforts to teach local communities various water-harvesting techniques. The UN Environment Program and UNESCO have also launched a smartphone app to assist in rainwater harvesting across Africa. The US is beginning to adopt similar conservation farming practices, and legislation like the Agriculture Improvement Act supports such initiatives. Learning from Zimbabwe's experience could help US farmers improve water security and manage the impacts of climate change.

Andrew Mambondiyani is a Zimbabwe-based journalist with a focus on climate change and environmental issues. His articles have been featured in a variety of prestigious local and international media outlets, including BBC, Thomson Reuters Foundation, IPS, Mongabay, Aljazeera, and Yale E360. His work is known for its investigative nature, providing in-depth coverage on the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation in Zimbabwe and beyond.

Zimbabwe is facing a severe groundwater crisis due to prolonged droughts, exacerbated by climate change. The country, which has been experiencing recurrent droughts since 1992, is witnessing a rapid depletion of aquifers, leading to dried-up boreholes and wells. This has resulted in acute water shortages, particularly in rural areas. Climate change researcher Anna Brazier and hydrogeology professor Richard Taylor have highlighted the increased frequency and intensity of droughts and the importance of groundwater as a climate-resilient freshwater source. The Zimbabwean government acknowledges the challenges and emphasizes the need for sustainable water resource management to support food security and meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The situation is critical, with water rationing in effect and the population heavily reliant on groundwater for various needs.

The article discusses the economic situation in Zimbabwe, highlighting the prolonged economic difficulties the country has faced over the past 15 years. It points out the stark reality that formal employment is exceedingly rare, with government figures indicating that only 376,000 people out of a population of 14 million are in formal employment. This suggests that for the vast majority of Zimbabweans, the idea of dining out is a distant dream, reflecting the broader economic challenges and hardships faced by the population.

Jephias Mundondo, an independent HIV/Aids campaigner, has highlighted the issue of discrimination against individuals with HIV/Aids in the banking sector. He argues that with the increased availability of medication, banks should focus on the viability of a person's business and their ability to manage and expand it, rather than on their HIV status. Mundondo's comments suggest that there is a need for a shift in the banking industry's approach to lending and assessing the creditworthiness of entrepreneurs living with HIV/Aids.

The article discusses the plight of Silindiwe Moyana, an HIV positive mother from Chipinge, Zimbabwe, who is facing severe anxiety due to the ongoing drought in the country. The drought has led to a lack of food, exacerbating the health challenges for people living with HIV like Silindiwe. The situation is critical as the drought-induced starvation threatens the lives of her and her family, highlighting the dire consequences of climate events on vulnerable populations, particularly those already struggling with health issues.

Andrew Mambondiyani is a distinguished journalist from Zimbabwe with a focus on environmental issues. He has been recognized for his work with several awards, including the Environment Africa Award for his reporting on the impact of global warming and climate change on rural Zimbabwean communities. In 2005, he won the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists Water Conservation Award, and in 2006, he was named the Zimpapers Agricultural Reporter of the Year. Mambondiyani furthered his expertise by participating in the Knight Science Journalism program at MIT and was one of the first recipients of the Middlebury College environmental journalism fellowships.

The article discusses the severe economic decline of a country in Africa, which was once considered the continent's bread basket. The downturn was significantly influenced by the repercussions of land takeovers. These events led to a drastic transformation of the country's status, from being a major agricultural producer to facing economic turmoil. The situation was further exacerbated by persistent international sanctions. The journalist highlights the rapid change in the country's fortunes and the factors contributing to its current economic challenges.

The article is an announcement that the reporting from the news outlet 'Context' has moved to a new location. 'Context' is known for its award-winning journalism and focuses on three major global issues: climate change, the impact of technology on society, and the development of inclusive economies. The article does not provide detailed content on these topics but rather informs readers about the shift in where to find their reporting.

The article discusses the impact of diamond mining in the Marange fields of Eastern Zimbabwe, discovered in 2006. It highlights the human rights abuses and environmental pollution caused by the mining companies, which include Marange Resources, Anjin Investments, Jinan Mining, Mbada Diamonds, and Diamond Mining Corporation. The Zimbabwean government, which owns a stake in these companies, has recently ousted all but Marange Resources, creating uncertainty for the local population. The Centre for Research and Development (CRD) has documented abuses and pollution, while the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme has controversially cleared Marange diamonds for export. Despite the wealth of diamonds, local communities have seen little benefit, with companies failing to fulfill promises of community development. The government's recent move to consolidate diamond mining operations into the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company has left the future of local communities and environmental remediation uncertain.