President Mnangagwa in Mozambique to deliver relief aid

Debra Matabvu in CHIMOIO, Mozambique

PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA has arrived here where he is expected to hand over a consignment of relief items to his Mozambican counterpart, President Daniel Chapo.

The consignment is part of Zimbabwe’s humanitarian assistance to communities affected by Cyclone Chido.

The donation, facilitated through the Government’s disaster response arm, ZimAid, is intended to support survivors of the tropical storm that struck central Mozambique in December last year, killing more than 100 people and displacing over 600 000.

He is accompanied by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, Deputy Chief Secretary in Office of the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications) Mr George Charamba and several senior Government officials.

Zimbabwe’s track record of regional disaster support

Some of the goods set to be handed over to the communities mark another chapter in Zimbabwe’s tradition of assisting neighbours affected by natural disasters.

In 2023, President Mnangagwa led a major relief effort to Malawi following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy.

The storm left more than 1 000 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands, particularly in Blantyre and surrounding districts.

Zimbabwe was among the first African countries to respond to Malawi’s appeal for help, mobilising goods worth millions of dollars, including 300 tonnes of maize meal.

Other donations included wooden cabins, cement, clothing bales, medical supplies, disinfectants, gumboots and blankets.

Presidents Mnangagwa, Chapo hold closed-door meeting

President Mnangagwa is currently holding a closed-door meeting with his Mozambican counterpart, President Daniel Chapo.

Zimbabwe and Mozambique enjoy strong bilateral relations, with a history of cooperation in times of need.

In 2022, Zimbabwe extended support to its neighbour by donating 1 000 tonnes of food to assist communities displaced by terrorism and violent extremism in Cabo Delgado Province.

The aid package comprised 800 tonnes of maize and 200 tonnes of white sorghum.