Shongedzai Mugwagwa

A plane with 80 metric tonne of an assortment of relief aid from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) arrived yesterday at the RGM International Airport in support of the victims of the tropical cyclone Idai which hit Zimbabwe recently.

The Refugee Agency said that the assortment of goods they had donated would support almost 10 000 victims at the Tongogara Refugee Camp in Manicaland which was equally affected by the storm.

Operated by the Refugee Agency, the plane carries food stuffs as well as shelter supplies for thousands of people at the refugee camp that was hard hit by the massive disaster.

The cargo was officially handed over to the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Dr Sekesai Nzenza by the UN Resident Coordinator, Bishow Parajuli and UNHCR representative in Zimbabwe, Robert Tibagwa.

During the handover ceremony, Tibagwa said that there was an enormous destruction left behind by the cyclone and a lot needs to be done to alleviate the situation of the affected refugees.

“The devastating cyclone has left people in dire need of humanitarian support. These supplies will help provide shelter and basic items to survivors, including women and children, as they have lost everything they were looking up to,” said Tibagwa.

During the same meeting, UN resident Coordinator, Parajuli paid condolences to the bereaved families and said that the country was suffering in three ways - the Cyclone Idai, Elnino induced drought and economic hardships. Therefore, he promised that UN will come to the rescue of the country.

While receiving the donations, Minister Sekai Nzenza saluted the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for a sterling rescue operation when the cyclone unexpectedly hit Manicaland.

She thanked the UAE Princess who paid for the transportation of the UN refugee Agency’s cargo into the country.