Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor

CABINET has approved the El-Nino Induced Drought Domestic and International Appeal for Assistance after the just ended summer cropping season was declared a state of disaster.

It is with this in mind that deliberations on the domestic and international appeal for assistance dominated this Tuesday’s cabinet session.

In a Post Cabinet Media Briefing in Harare this Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere explained the scope of the appeal which is premised on three areas.

“The public is informed that the His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa declared a State of Disaster on 3 April, 2024. The declaration was made in terms of Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act as a result of the prevalent drought brought about by the El-Nino weather phenomenon. The state of disaster exists in all rural and urban areas in Zimbabwe.

“The Appeal is premised on three areas, namely: Search and Rescue; Mitigation; and Resilience Building. Search and rescue involves the identification and provision of assistance to beneficiaries, while mitigation relates to the measures put in place to avert the impact of the El Nino- induced drought. Resilience pertains to initiatives aimed at strengthening community capacities for sustainable livelihoods in order to cope with the disaster. A full Appeal statement will be issued in due course,” he explained.

Dr Muswere highlighted that domestic and external resource mobilisation is an ongoing process under the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion.

“The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Honourable Professor Mthuli Ncube reported progress on projects under his purview as follows:
i. timely and adequate disbursements for employment costs and social benefits were done;
ii. domestic and external resource mobilisation is ongoing;
iii. policy reform matrices for Debt Arrears Clearance were finalised and implementation has commenced;
iv. the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference (UNECA) was successfully hosted;
v. implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) is on-going; and
vi. the introduction of the new currency was accomplished.”

Cabinet also received an update on preparations for the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in

“Considerable progress has been achieved in the rehabilitation of roads to the New Parliament. The bulk of the preparatory works are underway and the project will be completed within the scheduled timeframe. Plans are afoot to beautify the City of Harare from the Robert Mugabe Airport to the new city. The private sector, including small and medium enterprises, is encouraged to participate in the various committees involved in preparations for the successful hosting of the Summit,” said Dr Muswere.

Cabinet further discussed projects under the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services where 2500 records were digitised.

The National Policy for the Care and Protection of Children without Parental Care was also considered and approved.