Standard Chartered in Zimbabwe has contributed USD1 million to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Oxfam for programmes providing emergency relief to communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In total, USD500,000 has been donated to the IRC to provide healthcare supplies, infection prevention and control measures, and risk communication to communities and USD508,000 has been donated to Oxfam for the provision of emergency food aid to vulnerable communities.
Lovemore Manatsa, Board Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank Zimbabwe, said:
“Standard Chartered in Zimbabwe is proud to be able to contribute to the IRC and Oxfam programmes that reach the most vulnerable people in our communities. By working with these organisations, we are able to support the delivery of rapid and effective emergency relief that aims to address some of the key challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Zvidzai Maburutse, Country Director, International Rescue Committee said:
“Nearly a year on from the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Zimbabwe is battling a spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths, fears of a new variant, and the devastation that tropical Cyclone Eloise has caused in recent weeks to COVID-19 mitigation and containment measures. This ‘triple threat’ is endangering the lives of Zimbabwe’s population.
“The IRC in Zimbabwe is working not only to prevent and respond to the spread of coronavirus within vulnerable communities, but to meet our clients’ other immediate needs. Critical support from partners like Standard Chartered enables the IRC to continue its lifesaving work and ensure the safety of our staff.”
Mirjam van Dorssen, Oxfam Country Director in Zimbabwe said:
“We are proud to be in this partnership with Standard Chartered Bank as it has enabled us to fight hunger among vulnerable Zimbabweans who have been affected by droughts and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ensuring access to food is a key aspect of the support provided by SCB as the project provides poor communities with the power to buy food on a need basis and decrease vulnerability to future shocks.
We applaud Standard Chartered Bank on joining efforts with Oxfam to address the impact of drought and COVID-19 in Zimbabwe. The pandemic has shown how humanity is interconnected – I believe that when different parties come together to address humanitarian needs, we can make a tremendous difference for people in need.”
These donations are part of Standard Chartered PLC’s support for COVID-19 emergency relief activities in Asia and Africa as part of its USD50m COVID-19 Global Charitable, set up in 2020. Read more about how the Bank has supported colleagues, clients and communities during the pandemic at sc.com
