Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
ZIMBABWEANS returning home from South Africa have received a timely boost from Presidential Advisor on Special Projects, Dr Paul Tungwarara, who delivered food to families being evacuated amid ongoing anti-migrant protests.
The handover is being coordinated by Dr Chipo Maketo, who is working with a team from Safe Haven, an organisation led by Mr Claude and Babongile Gora. Safe Haven focuses on gender-based violence and social protection for migrants.
Distribution is taking place at the Government-run Reception and Support Centre in Beitbridge, which has become the first point of contact for nationals coming back through the border post.
Speaking at the centre on Wednesday, Dr Maketo said 1 700 food boxes had already been handed over to Zimbabweans leaving Beitbridge for various destinations across the country by the end of the day on Tuesday.
“As of Tuesday we had distributed 1 700 food boxes to Zimbabweans who were leaving Beitbridge to go to different places,” she said.
“We will continue with this support as more people arrive. The need is still there and we are prepared to meet returnees as they come through.”
She said the food support is meant to complement what Government is already doing on the ground to ensure returnees are received with dignity and do not go hungry after a long and often difficult journey.
“Dr Tungwarara has pledged to continue with more support. We are working to make sure that no family is left without something to eat as they transit through Beitbridge,” added Dr Maketo.
Special attention is also being given to women and children, in line with Safe Haven’s mandate on social protection and gender-based violence prevention.
Several partners are also working alongside the State to make the reception of returning nationals dignified and orderly.
These include the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), UNICEF, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), who are set to deploy two doctors to the clinic at the Reception and Support Centre.
The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society is providing tracing and free phone call services to the returnees, IOM is assisting with transport, UNICEF is supporting child protection and sanitation, while MSF is offering health care to those in need.
In addition, the National Aids Council (NAC) is also on the ground offering voluntary HIV prevention and treatment services.
Officials say the multi-agency response will continue as long as the evacuations from South Africa go on.
