Faced wit"The purpose of the visit is to assess the situation on the ground, to
determine the level of assistance required and to consult with
representatives of the various stakeholders in Zimbabwe on how a
multi-stakeholder distribution and monitoring mechanism could be set
up,"
says government spokesperson, Themba Maseko.
After the mission, the team will make recommendations to the
ministerial task team set up by President Kgalema Motlanthe next week.
The President and ministers will then decide on the humanitarian aid
that will be provided by the South African government to the people of
Zimbabwe.
South Africa is already helping Zimbabweans who have crossed the border
to Musina, At least R500 000 worth of medical supplies have been made
available through the World Health Organisation. South African
companies have also pledged more than R700 000 worth of donations. The
SA Military Health Services will also deploy its personnel to Musina to
relieve pressure off the public health services.
Dramatic humanitarian and health crisis
The European Union (EU) is also sending a team of experts to Zimbabwe
this weekend to assess the what it calls the "dramatic" humanitarian
and health crisis in that country. The bloc has also stipulated that
over R100 million in Aid be used specifically for health related
services. Based on the team’s assessment, the bloc may make millions of
euro’s available in emergency aid. Meanwhile, funds have been diverted
to boost basic health related services.
On Monday the bloc’s foreign ministers will meet to review the targeted
sanctions against Zimbabwe. Two months ago calls went out for them to
be lifted but now its expected that they will be maintained and more
than likely expanded. United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki Moon
has held an urgent discussion with Motlanthe as part of UN efforts to
intervene in the situation in that country. In a telephonic
conversation, Ban Ki Moon stressed the need for the speedy resolution
of the political impasse and to halt the spiralling humanitarian crisis.
The UN says donor countries and aid agencies are showing a lot of
generosity to Zimbabwe and have made pledges to send more food and
medical supplies to help the desperate Zimbabweans.
SABC
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