adminZvamaida Murwira and George Maponga
The majority of local NGOs have ignored the humanitarian emergency facing over 3,000 families displaced by flooding in the Tokwe-Mukosi basin in Masvingo, with the corporate sector and a few organisations providing 98 percent of assistance rendered so far.
Investigations by our Harare Bureau show that there are less than five local NGOs active at Tokwe-Mukosi.
A huge number of local NGOs have over the years received millions of US dollars from their Western financiers, which they have directed at fighting the government.
Out of the 90 NGOs registered under the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in Masvingo, only the Red Cross, Christian Care, Bhaso and Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers’ Association have extended help to people at Chingwizi holding camp since they were there following flooding early this year.
President Mugabe has declared a state of disaster and the government is co-ordinating relief efforts.
Most of the NGOs that are at the forefront of talking about human rights have ignored the humanitarian situation at the camp in Mwenezi District, which is beset with food shortages and an accommodation crisis.
The need for warm clothing and blankets is likely to increase as cold weather sets in.
As the situation remains dire in Chingwizi, 48 NGOs last week made a declaration that sought to discredit the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before Parliament.
No word was mentioned of the immediate problem of humanitarian relief for flood victims.
Even NGOs that deal with health-related issues have been largely invisible in Masvingo.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Kudakwashe Bhasikiti said, “We would not want to underestimate the level of assistance given to the flood victims by our NGOs ever since disaster struck at Tokwe-Mukosi, but I think there is scope for our NGOs to do more. We are happy with the support they are giving us but they can do more.”
Analyst Dr Nhamo Mhiripiri said most NGOs had directed their resources towards political activities.
He said if Zimbabwe had a pending election, the NGOs would have been more visible in Chingwizi where they would be giving “aid for votes”.
“If Zimbabwe was facing an election like in South Africa they would be more visible where they would be giving them food and ideas on a person or party to vote for,” said Dr Mhiripiri.
Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations president Goodson Nguni said local NGOs were mainly preoccupied with fighting Zanu-PF under the guise of advancing human rights but not humanitarian issues.
However, Nango chief executive officer Cephas Zinhumwe defended the NGOs, saying they had varied mandates.
“We focus on governance and not humanitarian issues. There are those NGOs that focus on those issues and they have done a great job in that area of humanitarian assistance,” said Zinhumwe.
He said financial resources remained a challenge and Nango had lobbied various organisations to assist at Chingwizi.
“We are quite serious and concerned about poverty in the country and what happened to people at Chingwizi,” said Zinhumwe.
According to a consolidated list of organisations, companies and individuals that donated to Chingwizi families, from the Local Government, National Housing and Urban Development Ministry, the Red Cross donated over 600 tents and tool kits, while Bhaso donated fuel for operations.
Christian Care donated a seven-tonne truck and fuel, while Murra donated 10 packets of flour, candles, sugar, cooking oil, sugar beans, 60 packs of sanitary pads and 2,000 bars of soap.
Vocal NGOs like Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Peace Project, Zimrights and the Zimbabwe Liberators Platform are yet to extend any help.
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Youth Forum, Media Monitoring Programme in Zimbabwe and the Advocacy and Literacy Trust are also conspicuous by their silence.
Others, such as the Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust, Humanitarian Assistance Trust of Zimbabwe, and the Zimbabwe Community Development Programme are yet to respond to government’s appeal for assistance.
As HIV and Aids patients, including children at Chingwizi, are struggling to make ends meet, the Centre for HIV and Aids Care and Agricultural Support, Zimbabwe Network for People Living with HIV and Aids, Free the Children Trust, and others are not on the ground.
The government made an appeal for $20 million to help flood victims and Minister Bhasikiti recently revealed that 98 percent of assistance had come from local companies and organisations with foreign donors accounting for only two percent.
Online Reporter