26 May 2021
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor on Africa Day, 25 May 2021, officially handed over the consignment of maize meal, on behalf of South Africa to Zimbabwe, the first consignment of aid that South Africa is providing to the people of Zimbabwe who were affected by severe flooding in 2019 (Cyclone Idal).
The consignment was received by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe at the State House in Harare, Zimbabwe.
In March 2019, South Africa responded to an appeal from the Zimbabwe Government for humanitarian assistance in response to infrastructure destruction and loss of human life caused by severe flooding brought about by CycloneIdai.
South Africa, through the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund (ARF), pledged R50 Million in humanitarian support to assist those affected by the cyclone in Zimbabwe.
The assistance consists 450 000 bags of 12,5 kg maize meal, to be distributed to the affected families.
The implementation of the project was delayed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The full delivery will now be completed by September 2021.