A delegation from the two organisations met the Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Mutare yesterday where they pledged the commitment.
UN Ambassador and Regional Coordinator in Zimbabwe, Mr Bishow Parajuli and EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Timo Olkkonen said they were on the ground in Manicaland Province to show their full support and are committed to working with the government.
“International support is very critical in meeting the various immediate needs. As the UN, we are absolutely committed to helping the people of Zimbabwe. We are already on the ground with agencies delivering food, water, sanitation and health facilities. We need to work on this for a very long time to address the needs of the people,” said Mr Parajuli.
“We are working hand in hand with the UN and through the UN, we support very much a multi-lateral approach, a co-ordinated approach, so the European Union is there. We have been supporting the people, our member states are supporting, the UK has come with even bigger support towards responding to Cyclone Idai,” Mr Olkkonen said.
The Manicaland Minister of State, Cde Ellen Gwaradzimba thanked the delegation for their continued and unwavering support and also allayed fears that aid distribution is being politicised.
“I want to assure all the friends of Zimbabwe that things are under control, all the donations and aid is in safe hands. We have come up with a very transparent accounting system that is credible, so that we will give you all comfort to say we are giving assistance to a nation that is worth,” she said.
The government with the aid of development partners continues to make efforts towards bringing relief to affected communities with more humanitarian aid still needed.