Botswana Red Cross donates to Cyclone Idai victims

TAWANDA MARWIZI

The Botswana Red Cross Society (BRCS) in partnership with the Office of the President and Botswana Defence Forces last week delivered their first consignment of approximately 25 tonnes of goods for Cyclone Idai Victims in Manicaland.

Some of the goods include clothes, food, hygiene supplies, medical drugs and other non-food items sourced from individuals, churches and schools.

The tropical cyclone left trails of destruction in Manicaland and several households are still nursing the scars of the disaster.

BRCS director of programmes Garethata Tshepo said citizens of Bostwana heeded their call to support the victims of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe.

“On the 19th of March, Botswana Red Cross Society made a call for appeal to respond to emergency needs of victims of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe. We received an overwhelming response to support the call. A heart felt thank you to those who supported the appeal – public, media, churches, schools, local organizations, private hospitals, companies, groups and individuals. The call for appeal was closed on 30th April. Red Cross highly appreciates BDF and Office of the President for the collaboration in providing transport for donations and providing security,” he said.

Receiving the goods, the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) thanked their counterparts for their support.

Maxwell Phiri who is ZRCS secretary general said there was need for more support for the victims.

“We acknowledge the peer to peer support we received from Botswana Red Cross Society in view of ongoing Cyclone Idai response efforts. There is still need for more assistance for these people,”   he said.

Cyclone Idai killed more than 300 people in Zimbabwe and some bodies are still missing.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week announced that the Government has identified land for the relocation of people affected by Cyclone Idai in addition to those who are still living in areas that are prone to natural disasters.

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