Contrary to government claims that Non Governmental Organisations were shunning Chingwizi flood victims, it emerged this week that the NGOs have so far spent close $3 million in both material and financial assistance amid reports that some of the donations might have been misappropriated.
The government through Masvingo provincial affairs minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti had alleged that NGOs were not doing enough to help the flood victims displaced early this year following floods that hit Masvingo province.
According to documents seem by The Zimbabwean NGOs and other corporates have so far spent a staggering $4 million in assisting the victims.
Contrary to government claims that Non Governmental Organisations were shunning Chingwizi flood victims, it emerged this week that the NGOs have so far spent close $3 million in both material and financial assistance amid reports that some of the donations might have been misappropriated.
The government through Masvingo provincial affairs minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti had alleged that NGOs were not doing enough to help the flood victims displaced early this year following floods that hit Masvingo province.
According to documents seem by The Zimbabwean NGOs and other corporates have so far spent a staggering $4 million in assisting the victims.
NGOs alone have spent over $3 million with the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society alone having contributed about $1 million.
Some of the NGOs that have contributed in giving assistance to the victims include Care International, Action firm, the Zimbabwe Red-Cross Society, UNICEF, among others.
Takemore Mazuruse Zimbabwe Red-Cross Society spokesman confirmed that his organisation has so far spent over $1 million adding that the figure is increasing each day since the organisation is also helping those allocated plots to build decent accommodation.
“We have so far spent close to over $1 million alone as I speak the figure is increasing each minute because there is work that is going on,”said Mazuruse.
Some of the NGOs are involved in the construction of toilets, provision of water and other basic human needs.
“Tokwe Mukosi flooding was declared a national disaster that is why we are pouring in money in the programme, “added Mazuruse.
According to confidential documents shown to the Zimbabwean so far over 2,000 organisation have either donated either in cash or in kind to assist the flood victims. It also emerged this week that some of donated items might have been misappropriated.
Sources privy to the goings on at Chingwizi said that some of the money or donations were allegedly misused by government officials currently stationed at the holding camp.
“There have been no transparency in the distribution of donated food and so far no one has benefited from cash donated by some of the organisations, “said the source.
“There is need to establish a committee to audit all the donated goods and cash because there is strong suspicion that some of the goods were either diverted to other areas or converted to personal use by some officials”, said the source.
However Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti dispelled rumours of abuse of donations which has reportedly resulted in some NGOs withdrawing their assistance.
“All the donations made through my office are open to inspection by anyone especially people and organisations who donated some of the items,” said Bhasikiti.
Meanwhile the government has made a passionate plea for food donations at the holding camp as inmates might starve to death.
Masvingo Provincial Administrator Felix Chikovo this week said that all warehouses where food was usually kept are now empty.
“We have nothing to give the flood victims because we no longer have food to feed them,” said Chikovo.
In related story some NGOs are scaling down operation with some contemplating moving out of the country due to financial problems and uncontrolled political interference on their operations.
Sources in the NGO sector confirmed that most NGOs were either scaling down their operations or pulling out of the country citing the unconducive political environment.
Some of the organisations understood to scaling down operations include Action firm, Zimbabwe Peace Project, Youth NGO forum, among others.