Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Government has intensified humanitarian assistance for returning Zimbabweans at the Beitbridge border post, where families arriving from South Africa are being provided with meals and emergency support as evacuations continue amid reports of anti-migrant tensions.
Presidential Advisor on Special Projects, Dr Paul Tungwarara, is coordinating the feeding programme, which is being implemented on the ground by Dr Chipo Maketo in partnership with Safe Haven, a social protection organisation led by Mr Claude and Babongile Gora.
The assistance is being distributed at the Government-run Reception and Support Centre in Beitbridge, which has become the first point of contact for thousands of nationals returning through the border post.
Dr Maketo said the programme had already assisted large numbers of returnees, with 1 700 lunch packs distributed by Tuesday.
“As of Tuesday we had distributed 1 700 lunch packs to Zimbabweans who were leaving Beitbridge to go to different places. 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.
She added that the initiative is designed to complement ongoing Government efforts to ensure returnees are received with dignity and do not go hungry after long and often difficult journeys.
“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,” Dr Maketo said.
Special attention is being given to women and children, in line with Safe Haven’s mandate on gender-based violence prevention and social protection.
Several humanitarian and development partners are also supporting the operation, including the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), UNICEF, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which is expected to deploy two doctors to the clinic at the centre.
The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society is providing tracing and free phone call services for returnees, while IOM is assisting with transport arrangements. UNICEF is supporting child protection and sanitation interventions, and MSF is reinforcing healthcare services for those in need.
National AIDS Council of Zimbabwe is also on site offering voluntary HIV prevention and treatment services.
Officials say the multi-agency response will continue for as long as the inflow of returnees persists, as authorities and partners work to ensure orderly, safe and dignified reception of Zimbabweans coming home.
