Zimbabwe is committed to good corporate governance and will
ensure that all items donated to Cyclone Idai victims reach their intended
beneficiaries with accountability and transparency, a Cabinet Minister has
said.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai
Nzenza was speaking after receiving 80 tonnes of relief material for Cyclone
Idai victims from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
yesterday.
“It is the aim and objective of the President that
everything that is donated to us is delivered through accountability and
transparency,” she said.
“So, we will ensure, together with my team in the Civic
Protection Unit, that there will be absolute transparency in getting these
goods to the rightful people.”
The cyclone affected Chipinge and Chimanimani in Manicaland
Province, as well as some parts of Masvingo.
The goods were handed over to Dr Nzenza by UNHCR
representative in Zimbabwe Mr Robert Tibagwa at Robert Gabriel Mugabe
International Airport.
The plane load of assorted relief items is the first consignment
from the UNHCR to assist 10 000 people affected by Cyclone Idai in Chipinge
District.
The next consignment from the UNHCR will assist 20 000
victims in Chimanimani District.
The United Arab Emirates Royal Highness Princess Haya paid
for the plane that brought the goods.
“I would also want to thank Her Royal Highness Princess
Haya of the United Arab Emirates, her generosity has clearly shown that
Zimbabwe has got lots of friends,” said Dr Nzenza.
“She is personally financially responsible for the arrival
of this plane that is full of so many goods that Mr Parajuli has explained and
all these goods are in support of the victims of Cyclone Idai.”
Dr Nzenza said she was touched by the fact that refugees at
Tongogara Camp in Middle Sabi were affected and are also being assisted by the
UNHCR.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mr Tibagwa pledged more
assistance.
“Zimbabwe has really been badly hurt by the cyclone and
this is one small way of contribution from the UN family to the people and the
Government of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“We will do our best to assist even with more, but for now
we have 80 tonnes of the supplies including blankets, water jerry cans,
mosquito nets, sleeping mats, tents to respond to the difficulties my sisters
and brothers are facing.
“I would also want to take this opportunity to thank Her
Royal Highness Princess Haya of the United Arab Emirates who has paid for the
flight bringing the UNHCR supplies to Zimbabwe.
“Without her we were going to be forced to ship it by sea
and would have taken long. To her, I am very very grateful and to the
Government of the UAE.”
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe Mr Bishow
Parajuli said as friends of the Government, they stood ready to support and
commit to reaching out to the people with various needs.
“We are very humbled as part of the UN system to join the
Government of Zimbabwe in solidarity and in supporting in various ways to this
crisis which has just happened and very unfortunate in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“A lot of people have lost lives and some are missing, our
sincere deepest condolences to the families, to the relatives and to the
Government of Zimbabwe.”
Mr Parajuli said they were building a case to appeal for
another US$60 million to assist the Government and the people.
He said he was happy UNHCR chipped in with the goods and
appealed for more international support.
Mr Parajuli said next week they will offer US$4 million to
complement and support some of the immediate needs.
Witnessing the handover of the goods were Local Government,
Public Works and National Housing Deputy Minister Jennifer Mhlanga and Zimbabwe
National Army Chief of Staff (Quartermaster) Major-General Hlanganani Dube,
among other senior officials.
Meanwhile, Chipinge Town Council working in collaboration
with Plan International Zimbabwe (PIZ) has restored municipal water supply
abruptly cut off 16 days ago following damage to the water reticulation system
by Cyclone Idai. Herald
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