Tinotenda Hove – THE Government says it will dispatch humanitarian aid to Malawi and Mozambique this Friday, a move that has raised questions as Zimbabweans themselves remain vulnerable to flooding and food insecurity amid limited domestic support.

The assistance follows a directive by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to help the two neighbouring countries, which have been hard hit by floods since the start of the rainy season in October. Mozambique’s National Institute for Disaster Management has reported more than 100 deaths and the displacement of thousands, highlighting the scale of the disaster.

While Harare has pledged solidarity with its neighbours, critics argue that the gesture exposes misplaced priorities, as many communities in Zimbabwe continue to face poor drainage systems, inadequate disaster preparedness and chronic shortages of basic supplies.

The government has also deployed rescue teams and Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopters to assist with evacuations in the affected countries, even as similar resources remain scarce for local emergencies.

Zimbabwe has been placed on “high alert” for possible floods, with the President directing the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) to activate all systems and dispatch 50 tonnes of grain to each province.

However, past experiences have left many sceptical, with disaster response plans often criticised for being slow, underfunded and largely reactive.

As neighbouring countries receive immediate assistance, questions persist over whether Zimbabwe’s own vulnerable communities will receive timely and adequate support should floods strike locally, or whether official promises will once again fall short on the ground.