Zimbabwe is set to benefit from a US$2 million donation made by the Switzerland government through the Swiss Humanitarian Aids to help communities affected by Cyclon Idai which hit the country a fortnight ago.
The donation according to the Swiss government will be channeled towards resuscitating safe drinking water sources and as well as bringing on board Swiss experts to help the United Nations agencies in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.
In a statement, Ambassador of Switzerland to Zimbabwe and Malawi, Niculin Jaeger highlighted that the complexity of challenges being encountered by the three governments following the disaster has compelled the generous gesture.
“In the aftermath of the cyclone, we have come to terms with the scope and complexity of the challenges facing the governments and peoples of Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.
“Moving forward, Switzerland has made available funding totaling US$2 million and a team of technical experts to the most affected areas. The team consists mainly of water experts and logisticians from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit and will reinforce the team of experts who have been working in Mozambique since 18 March,” said Jaeger.
He added that more fundraising programmes are also in place to aid the disaster.
“Furthermore, the Swiss Red Cross and organizations such as Solidar Suisse are working in close cooperation with the authorities on the ground have started fundraising for the disaster,” he said.
Meanwhile, there have been reports that the ruling party, ZANU PF, is confiscating donations contributed to the cyclone victims and distributing them on partisan lines.
