[dropcap]ZIMBABWE’S[/dropcap] humanitarian organisation, Action Aid has extended US$50,000 worth donations targeted at addressing women dignity issues in the Cyclone Idai ravaged Manicaland province.
By Michael Gwarisa
Commenting on the development, Action Aid country director, Joy Mabenge said it had come to their attention that the Cylone which hit the province about a week ago had deeply affected women’s Sexual Reproductive Health and livelihoods hence the donation.
“Our signature is quite clear, we are promoting women led emergencies, we are promoting women rights emergency response and we have brought with us here food and non-food items that speak to that signature.
“The situation in this area is quite distressing but clearly for us it is very clear that women were disproportionality affected this is why our response is targeting women and girls,” said Mabhenge.
He added that they aim to create sustainable and resilient communities in the affected areas to ensure life goes back to normal for the affected.
“Going forward, our contribution to this disaster will be to create resilient communities because that is our main interest, communities must be able to go back to their lives and liver normally afterwards.”
According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), preliminary findings show that an estimated 250,000 people in Zimbabwe have been impacted by Cyclone Idai, and at least 35,000 households – with over 120,000 women and over 60,000 children now in urgent need of protection interventions in the two assessed districts (Chimanimani and Chipinge).
An estimated additional 100,000 children are in need of welfare and civil registration services in nine districts.
