Covid-19: UK Diaspora Donates PPE at State House
By Correspondent.
(NewsThe Zimbabwe UK Diaspora Community handed over their Covid-19 donation to HE President ED Mnangagwa at the statehouse yesterday. The donation came from an inclusive Diaspora wide fundraising campaign which was led by Diaspora Community Leader Mr Marshall Gore who is also the leader of the ruling Zanu PF party in the UK & Europe.
Speaking from his base in the UK, Mr Marshall Gore said he was touched by the spirit of unity and togetherness shown by the Diaspora community in the fight against COVID -19 back home. He said contributions came from many Zimbabweans in the UK Diaspora including those inside the party and those across the political divide. For once we were able to work together without political barriers. This is the progress our Party aspires enhance under the new Dispensation, a unity of purpose that puts the country first during such unprecedented times.
UK based businessman and promoter, Mr Charles Guvamatanga represented the Diaspora community during the handover ceremony. He handed over hundreds of reusable masks and sanitizers worth $100,000 to be distributed by the Ministry of Health to healthcare workers who need it the most. In his speech, Guvamatanga reassured the President that, the Diasporas Community remains fully committed to engage with Government and to support the country in fighting and defeating the Pandemic.
The ceremony was also attended by senior government officials, including Hon Dr Obadiah Moyo The Minister of Health and Child Welfare and Members of the COVID- 19 National Taskforce Committee.
The Diaspora fundraising campaign was also supported by Tengai-Online- a Zimbabwean owned Diaspora Online Grocery Shop that specialises in delivering groceries for Diaspora families back home. Tengai-Online match-funded by paying a £1 per every £10 raised under the campaign
The President in his speech challenged the Diaspora to continue to work with the government in developing the country under Vision 2030. His Excellency Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa appreciated all the other organisations that also handed over their donations during the ceremony. In his brief to Mr Guvamatanga, the President encouraged the Diaspora to continue to mobilise more resources and support the Ministry in developing long term solutions to combat COVID -19.
According to Mr Gore, the Zimbabwe UK Diaspora under the Health Cluster initiated by the Zimbabwe Embassy have sent a letter to the Hon Minister of Health Obadiah Moyo, offering their support with knowledge exchange, innovation and scientific research in fighting Covid-19. As I speak, we are now in the process of identifying skilled Diaspora Healthcare Experts with the capacity to support the Health ministry in developing long term solutions to combat the pandemic in Zimbabwe.
Manchester-based Lecturer, Economist and former banker Mr Lazarus Nyagumbo who was also a part of the Fundraising Committee said the proceeds from the donations were managed with utmost requisite accountability and transparency by the COVID 19 Diaspora Response Committee. He said the decision to purchase the equipment from the University of Zimbabwe was made to compliment and support the role that local institutions have played and must continue to play towards sustainable and inclusive domestic led economic recovery, growth and development. He was excited about huge opportunities and synergies our local industry, institutions and diaspora community can engage and nurture with each other towards Vision 2030.
Patriotic Economist Nyagumbo went on to say this commendable mutual workmanship among our local institutions, industry and diaspora community, highlighted the fact that we can save a lot of foreign currency by promoting local production, local purchase of goods and services made in Zimbabwe, generating significant domestic employment opportunities and the greater multiplier and accelerator effect towards export led growth, import substitution led growth. Together We Can Working Collaboratively.
It is worth noting that this donation is one of many initiatives from the Diaspora. several other associations and organisations from the Diaspora have been donating many goods and services to hospitals, clinics and the less privileged in Zimbabwe following the declaration of Covid-19 as a national emergency by HE President ED Mnangagwa.
In his vote of thanks, Minister of Health Dr Obadiah Moyo thanked the UK Diaspora Community for their efforts in organising the fundraising and purchasing the much-needed PPE.
You can contact the UK Diaspora Desk by Emailing marshallg@teamzimbabwe.co.uk
Comments
About Author
