The government of Switzerland last week announced a US$ 1.1 million donation towards helping an estimated 5.3 million Zimbabweans in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection.
The support provided through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) will be used to address the humanitarian needs necessitated by the recent drought and the rise in food insecurity in the country.
It will be channeled through the World Food Programme (WFP) in selected communities.
“The support is being channeled through the World Food Programme (WFP) in selected communities in Masvingo Province and will cover the most urgent food security needs of more than 4,000 households through cash transfers,” read the statement released over the weekend by the Embassy of Switzerland.
Following the announcement, WFP Representative and Country Director, Eddie Rowe said, “WFP would like to thank the government of Switzerland for the continued commitment to support the people of Zimbabwe. This contribution will help us to provide the much-needed, life-saving assistance as well as enhance the resilience of the most vulnerable people in the most affected districts in the country.”
Also speaking in the same respect, Ambassador of Switzerland, Niculin Jaeger said the aide will mainly target children, women and the elderly in the most drought-affected areas.
“The Swiss allocation through the WFP will help us to rapidly provide critical food and livelihood support to the most vulnerable people who are hardest-hit during the current drought and economic crises, including children, women and the elderly,” he said
The aide follows another recent allocation of US$2 million from the Swiss government in response to Cyclone Idai covering Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.
