Humanitarian assistance from churches, civic organisations and well-wishers continues to pour into the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) in Njube, which is serving as a temporary reception and transit centre for Zimbabweans returning from South Africa.
The support follows the displacement of Zimbabwean nationals who had been living and working in South Africa in the wake of protests on June 30, with Government appealing for assistance to ensure Zimbabweans returning home receive a dignified welcome.
On Wednesday, the Rotary Club of Matopos donated clothing for women and children, including tracksuits, trousers, jackets, dresses and pyjamas.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also handed over 750 kilogrammes of mealie-meal, 150 blankets, 100 mattresses.
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Items such as sanitary pads, cooking oil and other food supplements to support families passing through the centre were also yet to be delivered by the Church.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Bulawayo Zimbabwe Stake President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mzingaye Ndlovu, said the donation was made in response to an appeal from Government.
“We met with Minister Ncube and the Civil Protection Unit who gave us a list of things that may be needed for this situation. As a church, we mobilised resources among ourselves and came up with these items. It is not everything that may be required, but we believe it will still go a long way in assisting those in need,” said Ndlovu.
“We are all brothers and sisters. We are all Bulawayo and we are all Zimbabwe. If one of us is in trouble, we should all come to each other’s aid,” he said.
Receiving the donations, UCCSA President Coenraad Willium said the humanitarian response had demonstrated the power of churches working together in times of crisis.
“The most beautiful thing about being church is when we can reach out, take hands and work together. The moment we put aside our own little differences for the greater good of the Kingdom of God is what truly matters,” he said.
Willium said in any humanitarian crisis there is a need to act before receiving resources.
“We should not spend time debating whether there are enough resources or where they will come from. Our calling is simple – to feed and care for those in need. In any humanitarian crisis, you cannot wait for resources before acting. You reach out in faith, believing that God will provide,” he said.
UCCSA General Secretary Kudzani Ndebele commended Government, churches and the wider community for ensuring citizens are received with dignity.
“We hope we will continue working together and supporting one another because humanitarian work can only succeed when we join hands,” he said.
“If you want to go far, let us join hands and work together. Humanitarian crises require us, as people created in the image of God, to come together and collectively find ways of responding.”
Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube said the process of receiving Zimbabweans at the transit centre was progressing smoothly.
“The process is going very well and in a peaceful manner. The President appealed to all provinces to give Zimbabweans returning home a soft landing, to handle them with care and dignity, and that is exactly what is happening here. I am very happy,” she said.
Ncube thanked churches, businesses, Government departments and ordinary citizens for their continued support.
“The support from the community, from ordinary people, from the business community, from the churches, from Government officers and from the private sector has been overwhelming. Keep up the good work.”
She said authorities were also prioritising transparency to maintain public confidence in the assistance programme while guarding against abuse.
“The other day someone tried to join a group arriving by bus claiming to be coming from South Africa, he didn’t know that there is a register,” she said.
Ncube added that steps were being taken to improve facilities at the transit centre, including plans by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to drill a borehole.
She also acknowledged a private sector donation of a 10,000-litre JoJo water tank.
“The support we are receiving is amazing, and we are grateful to everyone who continues to contribute,” she said.
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