TellZim Reporter
More
than 1000 families from the Cyclone Idai ravaged Chipinge and Chimanimani
districts recently received food hampers, clothes and shoes from Rugare
Community Relief Services (RUCORS), the charity arm of the Zion Christian
Church led by Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi.
than 1000 families from the Cyclone Idai ravaged Chipinge and Chimanimani
districts recently received food hampers, clothes and shoes from Rugare
Community Relief Services (RUCORS), the charity arm of the Zion Christian
Church led by Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi.
RUCORS
delivered a total of 18 tonnes of goods to Chipinge and Chimanimani communities
with only three tonnes going to Chipinge as it was less affected than
Chimanimani.
delivered a total of 18 tonnes of goods to Chipinge and Chimanimani communities
with only three tonnes going to Chipinge as it was less affected than
Chimanimani.
The consignment to Chipinge and
Chimanimani was RUCORS’ second donation to Cyclone Idai victims, having donated
many goods for victims in Bikita, Zaka and Gutu on March 19.
Chimanimani was RUCORS’ second donation to Cyclone Idai victims, having donated
many goods for victims in Bikita, Zaka and Gutu on March 19.
The
latest consignment of donations included maize meal, rice, sugar, cooking oil,
soap, 20 bales of used clothes and three bales of second-hand shoes.
latest consignment of donations included maize meal, rice, sugar, cooking oil,
soap, 20 bales of used clothes and three bales of second-hand shoes.
The
three tonnes at Chipinge were handed over to the Civil Protection Unit (CPU).
three tonnes at Chipinge were handed over to the Civil Protection Unit (CPU).
The
bulk of the goods were distributed to Ngangu, Machongwe and Rusitu Valley which
were the worst affected. At Ngangu 586 families got food hampers, clothes and
shoes. A total of seven tonnes of goods were distributed at Ngangu.
bulk of the goods were distributed to Ngangu, Machongwe and Rusitu Valley which
were the worst affected. At Ngangu 586 families got food hampers, clothes and
shoes. A total of seven tonnes of goods were distributed at Ngangu.
The
programme at Machongwe and Rusitu Valley was coordinated by Chimanimani East
Member of Parliament Joshua Sacco, who is also a senior ZCC leader in the area.
programme at Machongwe and Rusitu Valley was coordinated by Chimanimani East
Member of Parliament Joshua Sacco, who is also a senior ZCC leader in the area.
In
Chipinge, Ward 15 councillor and Chipinge Urban vice chairperson Panganai
Chirongera assisted with the distribution process.
Chipinge, Ward 15 councillor and Chipinge Urban vice chairperson Panganai
Chirongera assisted with the distribution process.
RUCORS is a registered Private
Voluntary Organisation dedicated to ending suffering, poverty and creating
opportunity.
Voluntary Organisation dedicated to ending suffering, poverty and creating
opportunity.
Bishop Mutendi, though not
present when the donations were handed over, visited the area to assess the
situation especially how church members in Chipinge and Chimanimani, were
affected.
present when the donations were handed over, visited the area to assess the
situation especially how church members in Chipinge and Chimanimani, were
affected.
He also held church services and
prayed for the congregants at Chipinge, Ngangu and Machongwe.
prayed for the congregants at Chipinge, Ngangu and Machongwe.
RUCORS spokesperson, Tafara Mbaya
called upon relief agencies and government officials to prioritise the security
and well-being of women and girls.
called upon relief agencies and government officials to prioritise the security
and well-being of women and girls.
“Looking at what usually happens
when disasters of this kind happen, we need to do more to protect women and
girls. They become more vulnerable to diseases as well as physical and sexual violence.
when disasters of this kind happen, we need to do more to protect women and
girls. They become more vulnerable to diseases as well as physical and sexual violence.
“Disasters effect far-reaching changes in interpersonal relationships, such
as increased aggressive methods of resolving conflict or strained communication
between intimate partners. Disasters also increase stress levels due to housing changes, financial difficulties, and
unemployment; all of which may contribute to increased rates of
violence,” said Mbaya.
as increased aggressive methods of resolving conflict or strained communication
between intimate partners. Disasters also increase stress levels due to housing changes, financial difficulties, and
unemployment; all of which may contribute to increased rates of
violence,” said Mbaya.
He said RUCORS was collecting and packing hygiene kits dubbed ‘dignity
packs’ that contain female hygiene products as well as a whistle and in some
cases torch for security.
packs’ that contain female hygiene products as well as a whistle and in some
cases torch for security.
“The contents include soap, underwear, sanitary pads, a sanitary cloth,
a wrapping cloth, toothpaste, a razor, a plastic bucket and plastic cup,” Mbaya
said.
a wrapping cloth, toothpaste, a razor, a plastic bucket and plastic cup,” Mbaya
said.
