As the government of Zimbabwe extends the lock-down period with 14 days, the Combined Harare Residents Association calls on the government to recognise development partners and Civic Society operations as essential services during the lockdown period.
CHRA notes with concern the information gap in highest density suburbs on prevention and curbing the notorious COVID 19 pandemic an area which the government and local authorities have been struggling.
The recognition of the work of development partners and CSOs as essential services will go a long way in complementing government efforts in the fight against Covid 19 especially in the area of publicity and education.
In a snap survey conducted by CHRA last week it emerged that there is total ignorance of residents on issues of social distancing at boreholes, gathering at some bottle stores and movements in high density areas and this has a potential of spreading the COVID virus like veld fire if no action is taken.
The fight against COVID 19 requires a multi-sectoral approach hence recognition of development partners and CSO work will open flood gates of ideas and support.
CHRA also plead with CSOs and Development Partners to support the government of Zimbabwe and the City of Harare in order to minimize the devastating effects of the COVID 19 Virus.
In light of the above CHRA recommends the following:
- The government of Zimbabwe must pronounce operations of civil society organisations and development partner’s essential services that compliments government efforts to fight against this pandemic.
- Provide possible platforms for citizen engagement to promote democratic process in decision making in local authorities.
- The government of Zimbabwe must comply with provisions of court order issued on the 31st of March 2020 at the High Court by Justice Zhou (HC2156/2020)
- CSOs must come up with a common platform for engagement on COVID 19 in order to have a coordinated and unified voice on engaging government and citizens the fight against COVID 19
Source: Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
