Chinese community provides Cyclone Idai emergency aid in Zimbabwe

In a strong show of solidarity, the Chinese community in Zimbabwe have donated cash and goods valued at $200,000 to help the victims of the Cyclone Idai, a tropical storm that wreaked havoc in the country during the past week.

At least 100 people in the province of Manicaland, Masvingo and were killed by the flash floods by Cyclone Idai while thousands of people have been displaced and rendered homeless after their homes and property were destroyed.

At a handover ceremony to the government of Zimbabwe on Wednesday, Guo Shaochun, the new Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, said the goods were China's show of empathy to Zimbabwe to help the country cope with the disaster that has also affected Mozambique and Malawi.

"On behalf of the Chinese government, I would express our deep condolences and profound sympathy to their lives lost and to the bereaved families of the victims of the disaster. As a true brother, friend and partner to Zimbabwe, China feels what the Zimbabwean people are feeling and will always stand with you," he said.

The mobilised goods, the first batch of more aid to come from China, comprised food, tents, water and blankets. They were sourced from Chinese business organisations that include Sino-Zim Wildlife Foundation, Chinese Federation of Zimbabwe, Chamber for Chinese Enterprises in Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe-China Business Association.

Ambassador Guo added that China as a country prone to natural disasters possessed massive experience in disaster preparedness and relief and therefore was prepared to share its experience with Zimbabwe to help its people cope well with the current disaster.

Li Song, chairlady of the Sino-Zimbabwe Wildlife Foundation, said her organisation had also made available a helicopter, three volunteers and three boats to assist rescue efforts in the affected areas.

This is not the first time the Chinese community has donated toward a national cause. Last year, the community donated cash and materials for a national campaign to tame a ravaging cholera outbreak.

Martin Rushwaya, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defence, said Zimbabwe was extremely grateful to China for responding positively to call by President Emmerson Mnangagwa for assistance for victims of Cyclone Idai.

He added that gesture of goodwill by China confirmed the excellent relations that exists between the two countries and demonstrated that China was indeed a friend of Zimbabwe including in times of need.

"This donation of various assortments of food items and blankets by the Chinese embassy in conjunction with the Chinese business community will go a long way in alleviating the plight of the victims of the cyclone. As you are aware the eastern parts of the country were affected seriously by flooding caused by Cyclone Idai. As we speak close to 100 people have been confirmed dead, while several hundred are reported missing and still to be accounted for," he said.

There has been outpouring of relief in the wake of Cyclone Idai induced floods as Zimbabweans have come together in their numbers, making donations in cash and kind to help victims of the tropical storm.

Mthuli Ncube, the minister of Finance and Economic Development, announced this week that government had released $50 million for emergency and infrastructure restoration. However, more resources are required to rebuild the affected areas, in what disaster experts have described as probably the worst humanitarian crisis in years.