263Chat - Zimbabwean media organisation focused on encouraging & participating in progressive national dialogue

The Health Development Fund (HDF), a multi-donor pooled funding mechanism, has procured essential equipment to fight the coronavirus pandemic and strengthen coverage and equity of immunization across the country. The HDF, a fund established to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCH+A) and nutrition in Zimbabwe, is managed by UNICEF in coordination with UNFPA. The latest intervention saw the HDF with funding from the United Kingdom’s (DFID), European Union (EU) Sida-Sweden, Irish Aid…

The Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDCA) is pinning its hope on the scheduled 31 July demonstration that President Emerson Mnangagwa will be ousted from office. The party's youth assembly spokesperson, Stephen Chuma said the demonstration is certainly going to mark the end of Mnangagwa's short but 'brutal dictatorship'. "In his short spell as the President albeit through stealing elections, Mnangagwa has presided over untold suffering, repression and oppression that has never been witnessed before in this…

The Chinese government under the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund has provided additional assistance to victims of Cyclone Idai through a reconstruction fund aimed at rebuilding schools and clinics. The USD$2million grant will be implemented under the just launched Post Disaster Restoration Assistance after Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe project, targeted at assisting rebuilding efforts of affected communities in Chimanimani and Chipinge. An estimated 50 000 households, 12 health facilities and 143 schools were…

Maurice Stierl, University of Warwick A black baby was born on a boat on the Mediterranean Sea in late June. Its mother was trying to escape from Libya, together with 92 men and women. Help was on the way, with the Italian rescue vessel Mare Jonio nearing the boat in distress, ready to rescue them to a place of safety in Europe. But Libyan forces were quicker, intercepting the boat on Europe’s behalf and returning the migrants to the Libyan war zone against their will. Upon disembarkation, survivors spoke of six people…

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed as fake a letter circulating on social media suggesting that they had sanctioned a 31 July demonstration in Harare by the Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Movement. Posting on their Twitter handle, the ZRP said the letter was forged with the stamp not from the Police Chief Superintendent. “Harare CBD and Westgate. This is a forged letter with a fake signature which does not belong to the senior officer. Chief Superintendent does not command Harare Central District and as such…

Minister of Finance Professor Mthuli Ncube says government is taking proactive measures to cushioning its fiscus against natural disasters, after a risk insurance company made an insurance payout worth over US$1 million, targeted at food insecure communities. The African Risk Capacity Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd) made payouts of US$1.4 million to the Government of Zimbabwe and another US$ 290,288 to UN World Food Programme (WFP), in parametric drought risk insurance payouts to support an extensive drought response…

The number of COVID-19 confirmed Covid-19 cases have surged to 885 after 98 new cases were recorded yesterday.According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, more than half of the new cases were imported from neighboring countries.This is happening at a time when the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revised guidelines on the minimum number of quarantine days from 21 to 13 days.This has also been approved by the government, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced during a post-cabinet media briefing on…

Harare, 09 July 2020 – On Monday 06 July, the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Hon. Fortune Chasi and the Ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Niculin Jäger inaugurated the Swiss Embassy solar project in Harare. The project is one of the Swiss Government’s largest solar facilities in the region at its Embassy and residences that is meant to generate clean, low-carbon and sustainable energy. The installation is meant to fight climate change and follows the goals of the Swiss Government to become a zero carbon emission…