Monday 18 March 2019

MDC-T call for Action and Donations to assist Cyclone IDAI Victims

The MDC-T family is deeply saddened by the loss of life and property as a result of Cyclone Idai which has swept across the country leaving a trail of destruction. We join the nation in mourning the precious lives of Zimbabweans that have been lost due to this vicious cyclone.

The cyclone has so far claimed at least 84 lives according to the Ministry of Information & Publicity and over a hundred people are reported missing. We deeply commiserate with the families of the deceased.

In times of peace prepare for war. Indirect violence like natural disasters and diseases have been at the chore of African crisis that have destroyed much of the populace in the African continent, with much predictions but less preparations for such disasters.

Thus later on the CSOs, Political parties, NGOs and Governments have grown into fire fighters rather than avoiding the fire from the start. Hence the concept of fire fighting has resulted in the loss of many lives which could have been avoided if the predictions were taken seriously.

The MDC-T appeals to NGOs, African governments and the international community to assist the Zimbabwe in the face of this natural disaster and humanitarian crisis.

We applaud government’s efforts, private corporations and individuals who have done a sterling work of rescuing victims trapped and marooned by the floods. We need aid beyond the capacity of all efforts to remedy the situation given so far.

The nation has been hit by an unprecedented natural disaster. Every life matters and we should ensure collective responsibility to ensure that the death toll is minimized.

We are humbly appealing to all our party members, organizations locally and internationally to help our fellow citizens who have been displaced by the cyclone.

It is time for us to unite, save lives and desist from playing blame games. In the face of adversity caused by a natural disaster we can’t afford to blame each other, rather we should focus on uniting and lending a hand in our diversity.

MDC-T implores the government of Zimbabwe and all stakeholders to do their best in helping the cyclone IDAI victims. We urge Zimbabweans from across the political divide to put their differences aside and put their heads together to alleviate the suffering of the affected people.

It is time for Action! The MDC-T family is collecting donations in cash or kind to compliment other stakeholders in the wake the current disaster.

Food, clothing, medicine and shelter
facilities are needed to cushion the victims of one of the worst vagaries of nature.

We would like to appreciate all the Churches and urge them to continue to pray for the bereaved, injured and displaced. Our country needs divine intervention.

On behalf of our President Dr. Thokozani Khupe, the MDC-T wishes all the injured people a speedy recovery. We also hope
that the living missing persons will be reunited with their families soon.

MAY GOD SAVE ZIMBABWE.

Linda Tsungirirai Masarira
MDC-T National Secretary for Information and Publicity