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Mark Lowcock visits Zimbabwe

United Kingdoms Permament Secretary in the Department for International Development Mark Lowcock is in Zimbabwe on a business visit.

Mark Lowcock - United Kingdom's Permanent Secretary in the Department for International Development

Mark Lowcock - United Kingdom's Permanent Secretary in the Department for International Development

Following his co-chairing with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the “Response to El Niño in Southern Africa” Conference, London, 14 July 2016, Mark Lowcock, Permanent Secretary of the UK’s Department for International Development, is now visiting the Southern Africa region. Mark is travelling to Zimbabwe, before heading to Malawi to look at the response to El Niño.

In Zimbabwe, Mark is looking forward to meeting with partners including the United Nations agencies, Non Governmental Organisations, and private sector representatives to discuss international community efforts in response to this humanitarian situation. He will meet with Government of Zimbabwe officials and politicians to understand their perspectives of the situation and what needs to be done.

Mark’s visit comes at a critical time for the Zimbabwean economy, and he will meet with the Reserve Bank Governor and economists to hear their visions for International Financial Institutions arrears clearance and what these processes will mean for addressing the humanitarian need.

Note to Editors

Mark Lowcock was appointed Permanent Secretary of the UK’s Department for International Development in 2011. Mark has previously lived in Harare, as Deputy Head of DFID Zimbabwe from 1994 to 1997. He last visited in March 2015, and is delighted to be in the country once again.

Published 1 August 2016