Zivanai Dhewa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa this afternoon arrived in Manicaland, the epicentre of Cyclone Idai, bringing with him hoards of relief aid from the domestic, corporate, individuals, neighbouring countries and continental and International friends of the country.

Speaking to journalists this afternoon at the aerodrome in Mutare, President Mnangagwa revealed that he had spoken to his counterparts in other countries and was working on compiling what the country needs to assist the affected.

Highlighting on the response that he has received so far in response to his passionate plea for donations, President Mnangagwa said, “I’m so happy that at the domestic level, we have response from our people, We have response from the corporate world as well as individuals are coming forward in big numbers contributing whatever they are able to do.”

President Mnangagwa further added that, “Also our neighbouring countries are contributing; I had a discussion last night with the President of Tanzania, John Magofuli. He is sending a plane load with plenty of materials to assist in this devastating Cyclone that has affected us.

“We also are going to receive lots of materials and support from the UAE where I had visited, and other countries like South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Angola have indicated that they also would want to know what our needs are and we are busy now compiling materials which we think they could assist us with.

“We have come, the Vice President came in the morning ahead of me to gather all the intelligence and information regarding the devastating Cyclone which has affected us,” he said

“So I have come in order to visit the families, communities as well as the infrastructure, I’m briefed it has been destroyed so we can assess and determine what government can do in terms of assistance,” the President said.

President Mnangagwa concluded by adding that, “We need to make sure we understand the quantum of devastation in order for us to mobilise resources to deal with the situation as it stands.”

Cyclone Idai made its landfall on Thursday and was so intense that families had to bear traumatic experiences with many saying what they saw will forever remain embedded in their memory.