Zimbabwe expert to launch Tearfund’s emergency appeal

 (Picture Marcus Perkins/Tearfund)

Karyn Beattie, Tearfund’s Disaster Manager for Zimbabwe and a former Zimbabwean citizen, will launch an emergency appeal for the country at a briefing for volunteers, church leaders and supporters on Thursday 18th October, 1.30pm – 2.30 pm, at Tearfund’s office, 2a Derryvolgie Avenue, Belfast.  

Christian relief and development agency Tearfund is launching its appeal to enable churches in Zimbabwe to bring help to the poorest families affected by the country’s spiralling crisis. Many have gone without food for weeks with even basic items unavailable in shops.

'People are living on nothing more than cups of tea with the last of their maize meal now gone,”'says Karyn who has just returned from Zimbabwe. 'Churches are working tirelessly to bridge the gap, meeting the acute need. Despite the spiralling economic crisis they are bringing relief and hope.'

The crisis in Bulawayo has seen people scavenging for filthy water from hand dug pits and broken pipes. Of the five reservoirs that supply Zimbabwe’s second largest city, four have run dry.       

Tearfund has already provided funding for churches in Bulawayo who are managing 20 water distribution tanks. More tanks are needed to supply communities with essential clean water when the mains supply is cut to just a few hours a week.

'We are thirsty for everything now. When people hear about maize meal the whole community will come to the place. The situation is terrible. There is no food - just no food.'

Tearfund partners with churches and Christian agencies in Zimbabwe, working through a strong network of volunteers who are in close contact with communities. This enables food aid to get to families and individuals who desperately need help, often in remote areas, regardless of political, tribal or religious affiliations.  

Margaret (74) lives in a sun-parched rural district about 70kms south of Bulawayo. The riverbeds are completely dry after the rains failed last year. She cares for four grandchildren, orphaned when her two sons died from Aids related illnesses. The grandchildren’s mothers fled to South Africa in their desperation. Some four million Zimbabweans have left the country, the vast majority crossing the Limpopo River in a steady yet precarious exodus to South Africa.  

Margaret says that her husband raises a little money from fixing pots and utensils only to find nothing to buy in the store 5kms away. 'I feel angry. I don't have any soap to wash the children before school and we have no food. We have been surviving on melons for two months, we have nothing else.' One of her grandchildren, Thandolwenkosi (6), is showing signs of chronic malnutrition. 'She was supposed to go to school today but she is too hungry,' Margaret explains. 'I feel that death is looming for us if we don't get food.'   

'The churches that we work with remain an apolitical voice in civil society standing against the injustice,' adds Tim Magowan, National Manager, Ireland, Tearfund,. 'We support them, and are committed to fighting the poverty that is no longer affecting only the poorest in society. Zimbabwe doesn’t have to be like this.'

Tearfund is appealing to the public and churches to support relief work that must be increased to avoid an intensifying food and water crisis that will put lives at risk. Visit the website >>>