Zimbabwe’s corporate sector continues to extend relief efforts for Cyclone Idai victims as the country looks to recover from the damaging effects of the natural disaster.
Cyclone Idai has triggered a massive disaster in Southern Africa affecting hundreds of thousands of people, with widespread flooding and devastation affecting Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
In Zimbabwe, the Manicaland Province was most affected.
The latest companies to come in with relief assistance include the Masawara group of companies, platinum giant Zimplats and telecoms operator Telecel Zimbabwe.
Mustafa Sachak, the CEO of Masawara Insurance, said that in addition to the immediate relief effort by Masawara companies and their staff, it was hoped to do something in the long term to help minimise the impact of future natural disasters.
“As corporates that function within a society it is important that we come together in times of need to help make the lives of our fellow countrymen and countrywomen better in any way possible.
“It is our hope that these efforts will make a significant contribution to assisting those who are in dire need of support right now.
“We will also be looking at doing something permanent in the long run, something that will lessen the impact of such disasters in future, such as perhaps work on building a disaster preparedness shelter, where people can take refuge when such cyclones occur,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s largest platinum company, Zimbabwe Platinum Holdings today donated $500 000 worth of goods to survivors of the cyclone.
Zimplats managing director Stanley Segula said the company will continue working with the Civil Protection Unit in assisting victims of the cyclone.
“Through our consultations with the Civil Protection Unit where they have provided guidance on the relief needs, we have put a package together. Zimplats is pledging a total of $500 000 to go towards assisting the Government in restoring livelihood in all areas affected by Cyclone Idai.
“The first disbursement of this pledge which is valued at $140 000 is being handed over today,” said the Zimplats MD.
The initial consignment consists of 30 tonnes of sugar beans, medical supplies including IV fluids, malaria treatment and antibiotics, 1000 litres of diesel, 712 kgs of overnight maheu and 500 litres of water treatment chemicals.
And Telecel Zimbabwe has donated groceries and clothing worth over $50 000 towards the same relief efforts.
In addition, the telecoms operator has set up a merchant code 217105 on telecash where Telecel subscribers can send cash donations. All they have to do is dial *888# and choose option 5 and then option 2 and then follow prompts.
As at 25 March, a total of $6 500 had been raised via Telecash. Telecel has matched the total individual donations made to this merchant code dollar for dollar thus raising a total of $13 000.
Over and above the total $13 000 raised, Telecel Zimbabwe has added a further $7 000 culminating in a grand total of $20 000, which has been used to buy various groceries and other much needed relief items.
Telecel CEO Mrs Angeline Vere thanked Telecel subscribers and Telecel staff who responded overwhelmingly to the call for donations.
“I am greatly humbled by the spirit of togetherness shown by Telecel customers, staff and Zimbabwean citizens at large, who provided much needed assistance in cash and kind during this tragic period to victims of Cyclone Idai,” she said.
Telecel has set up collection centres at all its retail shops nationwide where to date 35 bales of clothing have been collected. Various commodities such as mealie-meal, cooking oil, sanitary wear and other groceries have also been donated by well-wishers.
The first batch of donations have been dispatched from the Telecel Head Office and sent to Chimanimani using a dedicated Telecel truck where the donated goods have been handed over to authorities coordinating the relief efforts in affected areas.
Well-wishers can continue to send their donations to Telecel retail shops across the country or send cash donations via telecash to merchant code 217105.
Meanwhile, all Telecel base stations in areas affected by Cyclone Idai are now up and running, except for only two which are difficult to reach because of access roads that have been rendered inoperable.
Efforts are being made by telecel engineers to refuel generators consistently and timeously for base stations that are currently not on the power grid to ensure consistent network availability for communications.