263Chat - Zimbabwean media organisation focused on encouraging & participating in progressive national dialogue

Zimbabwe faces severe food shortages in months ahead, as global humanitarian funding is shifting focus towards the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic, 263Chat has established. The United Nations humanitarian arm, World Food Program (WFP), a major player in feeding vulnerable households this week announced that it is experiencing funding problems to meet its monthly targets since beginning of the year. It announced that it is in urgent need of US 130 million to feed Zimbabwe's 4.3 million people who are…

MUTARE- A local legislator has extended an olive branch to food insecure villagers in Cyclone Idai ravaged communities by providing door to door food deliveries during the Coronavirus lockdown. Chimanimani West Member of Parliament, Nokhutula Matsikenyeri says she is complementing government’s efforts in fighting the spread of COVID 19 by making door to door deliveries of food aid. In an interview with 263Chat, Matsikenyeri said the initiative ensures that people do not gather and observe social distancing adding that…

The Food Federation and Allied Workers Union of Zimbabwe (FFAWUZ) has approached the Ministry of Labour and Social Services with an urgent appeal to get adequate personal protective equipment and other necessary amenities during the 21 day lockdown. The workers in the food industry are among the essential services according to government definition of who qualifies to be working during the lockdown. In their urgent appeal to labour ministry, the workers allege that they risk being exposed to the deadly virus as they…

Medical doctors have urged government to take the lives of Zimbabweans seriously by putting more effort to combat COVID-19 and review the case definition of the global pandemic. In a press statement released yesterday, Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) said the second death of a Bulawayo man exposed government's minimal focus on regions outside Harare. “ZADHR calls for an urgent audit of the circumstances leading to the death of the 11th patient diagnosed with COVID-19,” reads the statement.…

MUTARE-A High judge has granted an order to Mutare City Council to provide regular supply of clean and portable water to its residents during COVID-19 lockdown period following an appeal by residents. Justice Hlekani Mwayera made a ruling against the municipality on April 8 after a resident from Dangamvura, Ephraim Matanda together with the United Mutare Residents Ratepayers Trust (UMRRT) approached the courts. In their application the residents prayed to the courts to compel Mutare City council to provide regular…

Caledonia Mining Corporation has recorded 14 233 ounces of gold at Blanket Mine in the quarter ending 31 March 2020 representing an increase of 19 percent from the 11 948 ounces produced in the corresponding quarter of 2019. Following the results, Caledonia Chief Executive Officer, Steve Curtis owed the positive figures to the operational team at Blanket Mine. “I am very pleased to report the production of 14 233 ounces for the first quarter of 2020, a significant increase of 19 percent on the corresponding quarter of…

DSTV has introduced a new channel that will allow Christians in Zimbabwe to commemorate Easter from home, following the ban on all forms of gatherings in order to combat the spread of COVID-19. The new channel is aimed at Christians from all denominations and will run from Maundy Thursday, April 9, through to Easter Monday, April 13. “All Christians will be pleased with this special channel, which will provide a means of hearing more about the meaning and messages of Easter despite confinement during the lockdown,”…

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) says it urgently needs US$130 million to sustain upto August, an emergency operation to prevent millions of the country’s most vulnerable people plunging deeper into hunger. In a statement WFP says over 4 million people are food insecure up from 3, 8 million at the end of 2019. “A recent nationwide assessment – the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) – shows that the number of acutely food insecure Zimbabweans has risen to 4.3 million, from 3.8 million at…