adminTalent Chimutambgi Herald Reporter
Government has commended the Federal Republic of Nigeria for heeding the calls by President Mnangagwa and his counterparts from other countries for humanitarian assistance following the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai which affected Manicaland, Masvingo and Midlands provinces two months ago.
Speaking after receiving a consignment of goods for Cyclone Idai victims at Manyame Air Base yesterday, Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province Senator Oliver Chidawu said the donation would ensure that all victims have access to medical attention.
The donation included US$500 and supplies of medicines and sundries.
“Zimbabwe is greatly humbled to be receiving this relief from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which has been timely so that we meet the humanitarian needs highlighted in the appeal document which was launched in April by the President of the Second Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency E. D. Mnangagwa,” said Minister Chidawu.
“On behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe, I would like to commend the Federal Republic of Nigeria for extending a helping hand towards Cyclone Idai-affected areas. The health supplies which you have donated will make great interventions in terms of providing health and disease protection,” he said.
“As a nation we will make sure that your generous donation will indeed assist in ensuring that victims get access to prerequisite medical attention,” he said.
He said the donation would go a long way in assisting a lot of people as the nation was now focusing of rebuilding and ensuring smooth health delivery to the affected communities.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mrs Janet Besson Odeka, pledged to render assistance to the affected communities until normalcy is restored, adding that two additional consignments were expected anytime soon.
“On behalf of the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I pledge to render assistance to all affected communities as much as we can as the nation until normalcy returns. This is the first consignment, and the other two are coming any time soon,” she said.
The donation included anti-malaria tablets and syrups, cough syrups, paracetamol syrup and tablets, cotrimoxazole, metronidazole (both tablets and syrup), anti-snake venom and many others.
Meanwhile, a South African-based non-governmental organisation, Africa Unmasked, yesterday donated a consignment of goods to Zanu-PF Youth League which will cater for 200 families that were affected by Cyclone Idai.
The league’s deputy secretary for youth affairs, Cde Lewis Mathuthu, who received the donation, expressed gratitude for the consignment which is already on its way to Chimanimani.
“As you know comrades, there was a disaster in Manicaland and everyone has been supportive of the victims especially those in Chimanimani.
“Today we have Africa Unmasked who heard our call as young people from across the Limpopo and are also willing to support the victims of Cyclone Idai. They brought quite a lot of goods and these are already on their way to Chimanimani from Beitbridge,” he said.
Matron for Africa Unmasked Ms Thembi Siweya said the goods were donated by ordinary South Africans as a sign of their love for their brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe.
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