Staff Reporter

The Department of International Relations and Corporation (DIRCO) is set to donate 450 000 bags of 12.5kg of maize meal to victims of the 2019 Cyclone Idai which affected mostly Chimanimani and surrounding areas of Manicaland Province.

The donation will be officially handed over to President Emmerson Mnangagwa by DIRCO Minister Dr Naledi Pador on Africa Day.

DIRCO is the foreign ministry of South African government responsible for South Africa’s relationships with foreign countries and international organisations and runs South Africa’s diplomatic missions.

Posting on its Twitter handle, DIRCO revealed that the donation was in response to an appeal by Zimbabwe Government for humanitarian assistance following infrastructure destruction and loss of human life caused by Cyclone Idai.

“DIRCO Minister, Dr Naledi Pador will travel to Zimbabwe on Africa Day, 25 May 2021, to officially hand over, on behalf of South Africa, the first consignment of aid that South Africa is providing to the people of Zimbabwe who were affected by severe flooding in 2019 Cyclone Idai.

“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa will receive the consignment on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe at the State House in Harare Zimbabwe,” posted DIRCO.

According to DIRCO, South Africa, through the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund ( ARF) pledged R50 million in humanitarian Support to assist those affected by the Cyclone in Zimbabwe,” posted DIRCO.

DIRCO noted that implementation of the project was delayed by the Covid-19 outbreak, and will now be completed by September.

Cylone Idai killed more that 130 people and left a trail of destruction in the Eastern and Southern parts of the country.

International donors, private corporates, Religions groups and ordinary citizens assisted a lot in helping Cyclone Idai victims.