Debra Matabvu in Chimoio, Mozambique
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is expected to hand over a consignment of relief items to his Mozambican counterpart, President Daniel Chapo, today in Chimoio, as part of Zimbabwe’s humanitarian assistance to communities affected by Cyclone Chido.
The donation, facilitated through the Government’s disaster response arm, ZimAid, is intended to support survivors of the tropical storm that struck central Mozambique in December last year, killing more than 100 people and displacing over 600 000.
The handover ceremony underscores Zimbabwe’s growing role in regional disaster relief and solidarity with fellow African nations facing humanitarian crises.
Speaking ahead of the event, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Victor Matemadanda, said the aid reflects Zimbabwe’s commitment to standing with its neighbours in times of need.
“Through ZimAid, the Zimbabwean Government is donating various items to the Mozambican people,” he said.
“The aid will go to those who were affected by the cyclone late last year.
“The aid will be presented by President Mnangagwa to President Chapo in Chimoio.
“At this stage, I cannot specify the items, as they are yet to be officially handed over.”
“So this is a donation to the Government of Mozambique and its people.”
Cyclone Chido was one of the most devastating weather events to hit Mozambique in recent years, severely affecting provinces such as Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa.
The storm not only claimed lives but also left thousands in urgent need of food, shelter and medical assistance.
This is not the first time Zimbabwe has stepped in to assist neighbours affected by natural disasters.
In 2023, President Mnangagwa led a major relief effort to Malawi following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
The storm left more than 1 000 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands, particularly in Blantyre and surrounding districts.
Zimbabwe was among the first African countries to respond to Malawi’s appeal for help, mobilising goods worth millions of dollars, including 300 tonnes of maize meal.
Other donations included wooden cabins, cement, clothing bales, medical supplies, disinfectants, gumboots and blankets.
During that handover ceremony, President Mnangagwa underscored the deep historical ties between Zimbabwe and Malawi.
“We have a historical bond between the people of Zimbabwe and the people of Malawi.
“The founding father of Malawi, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda and the founding father of Zimbabwe, Dr Robert Gabriel Mugabe were very close.
“I am deeply saddened and horrified to witness this devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy here in Blantyre and other surrounding districts, which left half-a-million people displaced and close to a thousand people dead, while more than 2 000 were injured in all areas where these devastations occurred.”
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, Zimbabwe donated a consignment of 20 000 doses of vaccines to Namibia to assist the neighbouring country with its response to the pandemic.
Explaining the gift on his Twitter account, President Mnangagwa said: “Only when all citizens of our region are protected, will Zimbabwe be able to return to normality. I’m delighted to announce that Zimbabwe has donated 20 000 Covid-19 vaccines to Namibia. Let’s protect all Africans!”
In 2022, Zimbabwe donated 1 000 tonnes of food items to Mozambique to help people who had been displaced by acts of terrorism and violent extremism in some districts of Cabo Delgado Province in northern Mozambique.
The donation, comprised 800 tonnes of maize and 200 tonnes of white sorghum.
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