Fellow Zimbabweans,

 COVID-19, a virus that shut down the world; 2020, a year like no other. As we enter into 2021, the pandemic is still raging, and more infections and deaths are being reported. Zimbabwe has not been spared by COVID-19, with Harare, Bulawayo, and Matebeleland South provinces being currently the hotspots in the country. Recently, Zimbabwe has recorded a surge in COVID -19 cases since the festive season. There have been 28,675 cases and 825 deaths[1] [2]  since the virus was detected in the country on 21 March 2020 (accessed on 25 Jan 2021; https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55731440).

Zimbabwe has made significant efforts to prepare for COVID-19 in terms of testing services, isolation and treatment centers which were established in every district. Returning residents were being quarantined. However, there are still a lot of gaps; limited testing capacity, poor contact-tracing systems, lack of equipment to manage severe cases, personnel, lack of PPE, etc. In addition, due to economic challenges the country is going through, total lockdown is not always adhered to.

Following the trend and how the virus is ravaging our country with shortages, a group of Zimbabweans in the Benelux has agreed to open this GoFundMe account to raise funds towards meeting costs of the above-mentioned shortages in order to save lives. Through a Zimbabwe Covid Task Force member, we have identified an Administrator to assist with distribution priorities. The recommendation is to begin our initiative by supporting District Hospitals who are quite stretched and are struggling to get basic items such as masks for their staff. The GoFundMe account is in the name of Dr. Timothy Mutsvari, a Biostatistician based in Belgium. He will manage the collection and use of funds in consultation with the other members of the fundraising group (names listed below).

Our target is EUR10,000 and we are reaching out to all Zimbabweans across the globe, organizations, friends of other nationalities and all concerned elsewhere. Transparency of spend is explained in detail on our Facebook page, Zimbabwe Citizens Covid Emergency Action. In a nutshell, the following evidence items will be presented before, during and after each purchase:

●      requests for supplies from District Hospitals;
●      sourcing communications with suppliers;
●      quotations;
●      invoices; 
●      proof of delivery.

If you wish to be involved in any of the aforementioned activities, kindly reach out to us, our objective is to run a transparent initiative for the benefit of our country.

Your contributions will go a long way in the fight against COVID-19 in Zimbabwe.

Yours faithfully,
Zimbabwe Citizens' Initiative: Covid Relief Fund team

Brian Munyaka

Bright Masocha

 Chenjerai Mutambanengwe
 
Kudzai Kambarami
 
Muchabaiwa Matambanadzo

Neville Mchina

 Patrick Chella

 Philip Mudavanhu
 
Tatentinos De Souza
 
Timothy Mutsvari
 
Western Tsogorani