Beitbridge – As the country intensifies efforts to assist thousands of citizens returning from South Africa, Nkomwa Foundation Trust (NFT) on Thursday joined the growing coalition of humanitarian organizations providing emergency relief to returnees at the Beitbridge Reception Centre, donating foodstuffs and clean drinking water in response to the Government’s appeal for increased stakeholder support.
The intervention comes as more than 100 000 Zimbabweans have returned home from South Africa in recent weeks, with over 30 000 repatriated through Government-assisted programmes while thousands more crossed the border independently, placing enormous pressure on humanitarian services, transport, healthcare, food supplies and temporary accommodation.
The Government has appealed to development partners, private companies, civil society organizations and faith-based institutions to complement its response in addressing the immediate needs of returnees while supporting their long-term reintegration into communities across the country.
Speaking after the donation, Nkomwa Foundation Trust Executive Director, Dr. Pick Nkomwa, said the organization was responding to the humanitarian call by standing in solidarity with Zimbabweans returning home under difficult circumstances.
“We are pleased to make our humble contribution towards supporting our fellow brothers and sisters returning home from South Africa. While our donation may be small, we believe every act of kindness makes a meaningful difference during times of hardship,” said Dr. Nkomwa.
Beyond providing immediate humanitarian assistance, Dr. Nkomwa said the Trust would prioritize support for returnees with disabilities, recognizing that they often face greater challenges during displacement and reintegration.
“We also look forward to engaging with persons with disabilities identified through the profiling process in Matabeleland and across Zimbabwe, so that we can assess their needs and facilitate appropriate support. Returnees with disabilities often face additional barriers, including limited access to assistive devices, healthcare, livelihoods and social protection,” he said.
He stressed that humanitarian interventions must remain inclusive to ensure vulnerable groups are not excluded from recovery efforts.
“As communities respond to this humanitarian situation, it is essential that persons with disabilities are not overlooked. An inclusive response will ensure that no one is left behind,” Dr. Nkomwa added.
The donation complements ongoing Government efforts to provide food, clean water, healthcare services and temporary shelter at the Beitbridge Reception Centre, where authorities continue to receive increasing numbers of returnees.
During a recent Joint Resource Mobilization Meeting and tour of the reception centre, Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe stressed the scale of the humanitarian challenge, saying Zimbabwe requires sustained support from partners to meet both the immediate needs of returnees and their long-term reintegration.
Nkomwa Foundation Trust’s intervention adds to the growing partnership between Government, humanitarian organizations, development partners, faith-based organizations and the private sector working together to ensure that returning Zimbabweans receive the assistance they need while laying the foundation for successful reintegration into society.
For persons with disabilities among the returnees, the Trust’s commitment to targeted support is expected to strengthen efforts to ensure that the national humanitarian response remains inclusive, equitable and responsive to the needs of the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
