By Gift Mashoko
International Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Miracle Missions Zimbabwe official, Jackie Anderson has dismissed claims that food aid for Cyclone Idai victims is being politicised.
Speaking in an interview today, Anderson said ZANU PF was doing a good job and that the circulating video of ZANU PF cars loaded with goods had nothing to do with the helicopter passing by.
“That helicopter had nothing to do with the ZANU PF trucks, they happened to be there at that time. Those trucks are full of goods, they have nothing to do with miracle goods. There have been goods that have been donated through the ZANU PF channels. Of course ZANU PF is going to go out and donate what they want to and that’s great if they are getting it to the people, let them do that,” she said.
Anderson said social media was the cause of all problems and that all forces and organisations on the ground in Chimanimani were working well together as they assist the Cyclone Idai victims.
“Social media is actually causing more harm than good right now. Please can we try to stop posting things that people do not know anything about because on the ground here, the relationship between the air force, the army, the medical practitioners, the Government side and our team are working extremely well? We are ensuring that the goods are getting to the people that have been donated to us,” she said.
On the same note, International Rescue Committee Country Director, Paolo Chernuschi yesterday dismissed claims of politicisation in the distribution of food aid to Cyclone Idai victims saying it is being done in a transparent manner.
“I attended a distribution in Chipinge today for 200 families. Selection was transparent. Two humanitarian agencies were present. No political statements made or implied. While reports of politicization of Cyclone Idai aid are concerning, I’m happy to have seen none of that today,” he said.
Responding to this statement, Bongani Chipare posted on his twitter handle saying, “We have been telling those who have been spreading news of political bias in spreading aid, that all agencies and donors are responsible for distributing their donations. I was in Chimanimani two days back and noticed the same. Thank you Paolo Cernuschi for confirming.”
Relatedly Andile@andileyy, twitted saying “Thank you, some people always want to peddle falsehoods and politicize everything even when the future of fellow countryman is at stake.”
These responses came after MDC and other detractors like Team Pachedu had started spreading lies that ZANU PF is distributing aid on partisan lines. This came after ZANU PF had offered its vehicles to transport goods to affected areas.
