by Grace Chekai
Government has urged all Zimbabweans to work together in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as its magnitude call for everyone’s cooperation.
In a press statement yesterday, Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube said, “The COVID-19 pandemic is undoubtedly very likely to be the worst natural disasters to befall our nation in recent times. Government has in response, set aside significant resources towards efforts to mitigate the immediate, medium and long-term effects of this global pandemic on our people and the broader economy.
“However, the scale and seriousness of this epidemic calls upon all of us as Zimbabweans to put our best foot forward and I therefore wish to call upon and implore all stakeholders that have the capacity and wish to assist in any way to come forward with their contributions to the effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Contributions can be in cash to the bank accounts indicated below, or in kind, or even in the form of ideas,” said Minister Ncube.
Minister Ncube said that the Government had created a National Disaster Fund dedicated to receive and account for contributions from Development Partners and a wide spectrum of well-wishers.
“The Fund and the following Accounts which are held at the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe-CBZ Bank remain active and ready for continued use; CBZ-SELOUS BRANCH, SWIFTCODE COBZZWHA,SORT CODE 6000
- National Disaster Fund Account: 06621537300047 ZWL/RTGS
- National Disaster Fund Account: 0662153730007 USD
- National Disaster Fund Account: 06621537300077 ZAR
- Netone (One Wallet) Biller Code 094178
- Ecocash: Biller Code 140286
- Telecel Merchant Code 216732,” said the minister
He said the public and private sector, development partners and well-wishers making contributions, assistance and support towards the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the form of cash resources were kindly advised to make use of the above bank accounts.
He said that the utilisation of the funds and material resources would be through the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works-Department of Civil Protection, with processing facilitated by the Accountant General.
The Minister gave contact details of persons responsible for the contributions.
“Official contact details to make contributions are as follows; Mr E.Zvandasara 0712 211 554/0242 757734, Mrs M.Mukondomi 0712 808 075/0242 763 027 and Mr D.Bundu 0712 876 344,” said Minister Ncube.
The coronavirus has posed a threat to the world economy as most countries have embarked on a lockdown so as to stop the virus from spreading. Today marks the fourth day of Zimbabwe`s 21-day lockdown.
The virus has so far infected about 390 000 people and killed more than 44,000 people from 192 countries in the world. Zimbabwe has eight confirmed cases of COVID-19, including one death.
