Tags
African agriculture, IRD, Robert Mugabe, USAID, ZANU-PF, Zimbabwe
Not long ago, I attended a career fair that had many representatives from the various non-governmental organizations that exist in the DC/MD/VA area to solve the problems of the African (and developing world) masses. I made sure to get all the swag that is typically available at such events, a tote bag, pens, and candy (I was particularly excited to find my favorite sweet, a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup). However, the best item that I managed to pull was a 2013 calendar issued by International Relief & Development, an Arlington based NGO that seeks “to reduce the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable groups and provide the tools and resources needed to increase their self-sufficiency.” Washington DC readers may remember IRD from their aggressive marketing campaign on the DC metro about a year ago.
The March page of the calendar tells me that “IRD has worked in Zimbabwe since 2009 to help catalyze the transition of the country from a complex humanitarian emergency to development.” Continue reading