dyton mupawaenda
Talent Chimutambgi-Herald Correspondent
The Government has pledged to continue working with international partners which complement its grand strategies to tackle various emerging and existing threats as part of President Mnangagwa’s drive to reinforce relations with the global community.
Speaking after a closed meeting with members from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) last week, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said the Government was appreciating the humanitarian assistance the transnational organisation was rendering Zimbabwe.
The IFRC team led by Ms Nena Stoiljkovic made a courtesy call on Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri to discuss issues to do with their commitment to buttress Government’s humanitarian programmes this year.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said relations with the IFRC dated back to 1980 when the organisation started providing support in demining certain areas.
She said Zimbabwe was one of the countries in the world littered with landmines planted during the liberation struggle to inhibit freedom fighters from entering the country to dislodge the Ian Smith regime.
Donors had been complementing Government efforts to provide education, water, health services and sanitation to marginalised communities. Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the IFRC had been instrumental in the provision of cholera vaccines to tackle the effects of the epidemic.
“We are very happy as the Ministry of Defence representing the Government of Zimbabwe that we are meeting the team of donors led by the head who is from Switzerland,” she said.
“We started relating in 1980 and through an Act of Parliament we are able establish a local Red Cross Organisation and it is voluntary and is made up of volunteers who work in communities with the assistance of donors from various corners of the globe. The donors have come here to show their commitment to continue supporting Zimbabwe in humanitarian assistance.
“The Red Cross is a humanitarian organisation in the area of defence. We work with them very closely as we train our soldiers on human rights issues and humanitarian law, we are happy that they are coming to Zimbabwe through their Regional Office that was established to work with them to come up with an annual strategy on how best they could address quite a number of issues in Zimbabwe.
“When we got our Independence, the Red Cross was in the forefront putting together resources to remove landmines and you know, we were one of the highest infested countries in the world. I am proud that we are targeting next year to completely address the issue of landmines in the country.
“In light of this Red Cross had been a partner to defence, so were discussing the possibility of renewing relations with Zimbabwe. On the issue of cholera, they are playing a major role in providing vaccines and also participating in the area of watch.”
IFRC was buttressing Government efforts to mitigate drugs and dangerous substances abuse in the country as the vice has become rampant among the youths, said Minister Muchinguri Kashiri.
She commended President Mnangagwa for coming up with a Plan of Action to confront the vice, adding the strategy is implemented in consultation with the United Nations.
“We also looked at the issues of drugs and dangerous substance abuse. They are various pillars that the Government has established under the leadership of President Mnangagwa. The area of information and rehabilitation. We are sure that as they operate at village level this is an area that our local chapter can play a role,” she said.
“Plan of action is underway and once it is complete, the President will launch it shortly and we are working in consultation with the United Nations.
“This is what we have been preoccupied with and also creating an organisation which will be tackling these issues. We are at a stage where we can say with confidence that we are ready to launch our Zimbabwe plan of action.”
Through its humanitarian work, the IFRC is working on various projects with the Government and currently has assisted in establishing a water project in Muzarabani.
“They have been also constructing clinics and schools in various areas,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri. “The President is always emphasising on re-engagement, insisting Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none. Their coming is a clear demonstration of their commitment to support Zimbabwe.”
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the team had also promised to render assistance to reduce the effects of drought and climate change.
“We have a drought and they have assured us that they will play their role in various ways, so we really appreciate as they have come to explore and also discuss on how best they can strengthen the local chapter. We want to make sure that we cooperate and create a conducive environment,” she said.
Ms Stoiljkovic said they were dedicated to working with the Government in providing humanitarian assistance to every part in Zimbabwe without leaving anyone behind.
Online Reporter