A convoy of trucks carrying aid relief of 4 500 blankets and 37 tonnes of maize, beans and oil is to leave Johannesburg for Zimbabwe on Monday.
The office of Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane said on Monday the blankets were donated by the Anglican church. Other churches collected the rest of the goods.
The consignment was meant for people affected by Zimbabwe’s Operation Murambatsvina that left scores of families destitute.
Ndungane’s office said in a statement the convoy would be escorted by members of the SA National Defence Force.
”Once in Zimbabwe, the aid will be distributed to those most in need, in and around Mutare, Bulawayo and Harare — from church halls and in resettlement camps.”
Distribution will be handled by the relief arm of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches: Christian Care.
The South African Embassy in Zimbabwe would help to make sure that the aid gets to the appropriate distribution points.
The trucks are due to depart from Khotso House in Johannesburg by lunchtime.
”Before departure, they will be blessed by church leaders who recently visited Zimbabwe to assess the situation,” Ndungane’s office said.
This consignment of aid formed part of the SACC’s Operation Hope for Zimbabwe which had already raised R350 000.
”It is hoped that this amount will be increased, following an appeal on Sunday to churches across South Africa.” – Sapa