HUNDREDS of Umguza families are set to benefit from a $4 million donation by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support vulnerable families suffering from the effects of drought and consecutive poor harvests in Zimbabwe.
NQOBANI NDLOVU/FELUNA NLEYA
The funds will be managed by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The donation brings the US total contribution to the current WFP relief efforts in Zimbabwe to $29 million and will allow for life-saving operations to continue in the 16 worst-affected areas in the country until next month.
US ambassador Bruce Wharton said they would continue to work through USAID for sustainable food security to help build an economically stable Zimbabwe.
At least 2, 2 million people in Zimbabwe are at risk of starvation between now and March. WFP and its partners have been assisting those in need with food and cash distributions. WFP country director Sory Quane said: “This generous contribution from the US will enable us to continue to provide food assistance in some especially hard-hit areas.
“It means the most needy are assured of support until they can cope on their own again, after the harvest in April.”
The donation would be used locally to buy cereals and pulses as well as providing for cash transfers in areas where food is available on the market.
Meanwhile, US ambassador to Zimbabwe Bruce Wharton has pledged assistance to flood victims in desperate need of shelter, food, medical supplies and other basic necessities across the country.
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The government last week declared floods in Masvingo a national disaster and appealed for $20 million in urgent assistance from the international community to help flood victims.
While the government has declared a national disaster in Masvingo where close to 60 000 people have been affected, over 200 families have also been marooned and risk being swept away by torrential rains in Tsholotsho in Matabeleland North.
The floods have destroyed crops, homes, roads, schools and killed livestock countrywide making some areas inaccessible.
Wharton told Southern Eye on Tuesday that the US Embassy stood ready to chip in with humanitarian assistance but could not reveal how much or what form of assistance would be provided to flood victims.
“We are co-ordinating with the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and we will support where we can.
“We are in an information gathering stage right now to assess the impact of the floods,” Wharton said in an interview on the side-lines of a food distribution programme in Ntabazinduna on Tuesday.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing minister Ignatius Chombo on Tuesday said government urgently required $600 000 for food, $401 400 for tents, $314 876 for non-food basics, $230 000 for emergency medical supplies, $2,6 million for logistical support, $9,8 million to reconstruct schools and $5,3 million for the reconstruction of clinics, boreholes and dip tanks.
The State-owned mobile telecoms company, NetOne, has also responded to the SOS by urging its subscribers to donate 20c to assist flood victims in Masvingo.
[highlight]“SMS the word HELP to 100 and be charged 20c which will all go towards the Tokwe-Mukosi disaster relief. You can make a difference,” reads a message the network sent its subscribers yesterday.[/highlight]
