BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
In the wake of devastating floods that have left parts of Matabeleland North submerged during the just ended rain season, a profound act of international solidarity is unfolding in Hwange District.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of torrential rains that have decimated crops and isolated villages, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation has stepped in to provide a critical safety net for those the waters left behind.
In February, a dedicated team of 56 volunteers mobilised across the district to deliver emergency food relief to “700 affected households.” The distribution, centred on staples like “rice and maize meal,” was designed to reach those most at risk of acute food insecurity.
Recognising the unique vulnerability of the youngest victims, volunteers also provided bread to children gathered at distribution sites, offering immediate nourishment amidst the chaos of displacement.
The human face of this crisis is perhaps best exemplified by Namatama, an 83-year-old grandmother in Hwange who has long suffered from paralysis in both legs.
The floods compounded her significant hardships, making access to food nearly impossible.
In a gesture of solidarity, volunteers “personally delivered rice to her home to help relieve the family’s immediate food needs.”
However, the mission was marked by a poignant tragedy. Dino Chi, a senior volunteer, “unexpectedly passed away during the operation, after a demanding first day of distributing aid.”
His death sent shockwaves through the humanitarian community, yet his colleagues have refused to let the mission falter.
Instead, they have redoubled their efforts, “continuing the planned humanitarian activities in his memory” to ensure that the conviction that “together, we can make a change” remains a reality for Hwange.”
The Foundation is looking toward long-term recovery.
Volunteers have been meeting with local authorities to “better understand community conditions and evaluate future support possibilities in the region.”
These evaluations are critical for planning future support as the region faces ongoIng risks of waterborne diseases.
As Hwange begins the slow process of drying out, the presence of these volunteers serves as a reminder that the district is not alone.
The Foundation said remained committed to its core mission: to “relieve the suffering of those in need while creating a better world for all through compassion, love and hope.”