On the 21st March 2020, as the severity of the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic became clearer, a meeting was held in Victoria Falls comprising of public and private stakeholders to discuss the pandemic and the efforts required to begin the preparedness and response of Victoria Falls to the pandemic.

At the meeting, it was resolved by the Hwange District Ministry of Health and Child Care, Acting DMO Dr Fungai Mvura, Hon Godfrey Dube MP Hwange West, various local government bodies, the Municipality and Council of Victoria Falls, local business owners, associations, locally based NGOs and NPOs and concerned citizens that a united group be formed to fight the threat of COVID-19. It was on this day that the Victoria Falls COVID19 Taskforce therefore came into being.

Since the March meeting, the Victoria Falls COVID-19 taskforce has been exemplary in their efforts of preparedness and response to COVID-19, and as a public-private collaboration led by the Hwange District Ministry of Health and Child Care Acting DMO, Dr Fungai Mvura.

In order to work effectively, the Victoria Falls COVID-19 Task Force split into key focal groups vital to support the preparedness and response of Victoria Falls to the pandemic’s impact on the community’s health and livelihoods.

Communications

Volunteer Coordination

Public Works & Maintenance

Rural Outreach

Isolation Centres

Procurement & Logistics

Finance & Resources

Public Safety

Food Security

Advocacy & Lobbying

Quarantine Facilities

Tourism Recovery

Timeline of Events & Achievements

21 March 2020

Led by the Hwange District Ministry of Health and Child Care Acting DMO, Dr Fungai Mvura – a meeting is held between government departments, Council and Muncipality, concerned residents and tourism stakeholders to establish an all-inclusive taskforce to develop COVID-19 response and preparedness strategy.

21 March 2020

22 March 2020

Taskforce members and volunteers split into twelve main focus groups (listed above).

22 March 2020

22 March 2020

Procedures for Suspected COVID-19 cases and Emergency Response established

22 March 2020

25 March 2020

Crowdfunding campaign launched to raise funds for necessary activities of the COVID-19 Taskforce

25 March 2020

25 March 2020

Communications Focal Group begin carrying our community awareness campaigns in urban areas

25 March 2020

27 March 2020

President Emmerson Mnangagwa announces that starting on Monday, March 30, a nationwide lockdown will be in effect across Zimbabwe for 21 days to prevent further spread of the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

27 March 2020

27 March 2020

Food Security Focal Group begin reaching out to International NGO’s and Organisations for Food Security assistance.

27 March 2020

27 March 2020

Multi-lingual awareness leaflets printed for wider distribution to urban and rural communities

27 March 2020

27 March 2020

Community driven mask-making projects begin across the town for mask distributions to underprivileged residents

27 March 2020

27 March 2020

Digital awareness campaign created and distributed to urban and rural communities around Victoria Falls via whatsapp.

27 March 2020

27 March 2020

Two Buildings identified for use as isolation centres and quotes for necessary refurbishment / equipping of the centres obtained.

27 March 2020

27 March 2020

Initial donations of PPE equipment arrive to support medical teams in Victoria Falls.

27 March 2020

27 March 2020

Monthly fuel donation secured for Rapid Response Team ambulance.

27 March 2020

28 March 2020

Crowdfunding campaign targeting Food Security launched.

28 March 2020

28 March 2020

Payment made by COVID-19 taskforce for first ventilator and additional PPE equipment through donations received.

28 March 2020

28 March 2020

Victoria Falls COVID-19 Hotline established 

28 March 2020

28 March 2020

Identification of critically vulnerable households begins.

28 March 2020

28 March 2020

Rural awareness outreach campaigns begin.

28 March 2020

30 March 2020

All border posts are closed, non-essential domestic travel is banned. All shops and services are closed except for essential food service and medical supplies providers.

30 March 2020

30 March 2020

First delivery of food supplies arrive for impending food security relief efforts.

30 March 2020

30 March 2020

Soap and disinfectant distributions begin in rural communities

30 March 2020

31 March 2020

Victoria Falls Municipality begins town disinfection program including border posts, truck stops, all clinics, bus ranks, and supermarkets

31 March 2020

2 April 2020

Victoria Falls Famine Appeal crowdfunding campaign launched

2 April 2020

2 April 2020

Refurbishment of first isolation centre completed.

2 April 2020

3 April 2020

Food pack, soap, sanitiser and mask distributions begin to vulnerable families in the rural communities by Greenline Africa.

3 April 2020

4 April 2020

Additonal PPE equipment and medical supplies received from Econet Wireless.

4 April 2020

4 April 2020

Local DJs / Musicians host online fundraising concert.

4 April 2020

6 April 2020

Telemed Virtual Doctor Consultations set-up with Dr. Jeans

6 April 2020

7 April 2020

Food Security stocks distributed amongst wards / councilors for onward distribution to vulnerable households within wards.

7 April 2020

7 April 2020

Masks distributed to council, ZRP and various shops around town.

7 April 2020

7 April 2020

Tourism stakeholders put forward donations of linen, disinfectants, face masks etc for the Isolation centres.

7 April 2020

9 April 2020

Disinfection at Ports of Entry including Border Posts and Victoria Falls Airport

9 April 2020

9 April 2020

Disinfection of main streets and buildings in town.

9 April 2020

11 April 2020

Disinfection and sanitization of Restaurants and Council offices

11 April 2020

11 April 2020

Large extractor fan for Victoria Falls Hospital High Care Unit donated and fitted

11 April 2020

14 April 2020

Food Security Delivered to Victoria Falls Hospital

14 April 2020

14 April 2020

Isolation Centre 1 equipped with beds and furniture.

14 April 2020

14 April 2020

Food Hampers distributed to 100 vulnerable urban families.

14 April 2020

15 April 2020

National COVID-19 Taskforce conduct inspections of the Victoria Falls isolation centres and facilities.

15 April 2020

16 April 2020

Disinfection and sanitization of Victoria Falls Airport continues.

16 April 2020

18 April 2020

Food and Soap hampers distributed to vulnerable families in the rural communities.

18 April 2020

18 April 2020

Two community vegetable sites identified for Food Growing initiatives and Awareness campaign for growing your own vegetables gets underway.

18 April 2020

19 April 2020

Street santisation using the Zimbabwe Republic Police water canon begins in CBD and markets.

19 April 2020

20 April 2020

Ongoing distribution of masks to the council and community free of charge.

20 April 2020

20 April 2020

Sanitation and Comfort kits including sanitizer, masks, awareness leaflets and sanitary products, prepared and handed out to all returning residents required to go into mandatory quarantine in Victoria Falls.

20 April 2020

21 April 2020

Church Groups deliver clothes, blankets and food hampers to quarantine facilities.

21 April 2020

24 April 2020

Magazines, DVD player, DVDs, Books etc delivered to the quarantine centre in Victoria Falls to keep returnees entertained.

24 April 2020

24 April 2020

3 hectares-worth of vegetable seeds distributed to planting sites.

24 April 2020

27 April 2020

Renovations begin on the Victoria Falls Hospital Intensive Care Unit.

27 April 2020

27 April 2020

Food hamper distribution to vulnerable families in urban and rural areas continues.

27 April 2020

27 April 2020

Second large delivery of food supplies received by COVID-19 Taskforce for distribution to vulnerable families.

27 April 2020

28 April 2020

“Feed Yourself, Feed Your community” campaign launched to encourage the wider community to start their own vegetable growing gardens.

28 April 2020

1 May 2020

Six Environmental Health Technicians from Victoria Falls travel to Bulawayo to attend the World Health Organisation Rapid Assessment Training course.

1 May 2020

3 May 2020

Continued distribution of Face Masks across the community.

3 May 2020

6 May 2020

Zimbabwe Republic Police conduct awareness drive throughout town highlighting safety and security protocols, outlining the COVID hotline numbers and speaking about domestic violence

6 May 2020

8 May 2020

2,520 masks distributed in urban areas through MasksForAll and Children In the Wilderness.

8 May 2020

8 May 2020

500 masks distributed in rural communities through Greenline Africa Trust.

8 May 2020

18 May 2020

197 hygiene and awareness kits distributed to community members with disabilities.

18 May 2020

19 May 2020

Refurbishment and equipping of second Isolation Centre completed.

19 May 2020

22 May 2020

Distribution of seedlings, black soil and manure to three urban schools for vegetable growing project.

22 May 2020

22 May 2020

Distribution of seedlings to rural villages for vegetable growing project.

22 May 2020

27 May 2020

Municipality and Public Works team up to install the ICU geysers and fix up the laundry at the Victoria Falls Hospital.

27 May 2020

3 June 2020

Island Hospice conducts psycho-social support training to families and front line healthworkers in Victoria Falls.

3 June 2020

5 June 2020

The Hindoo Society deliver blankets for the Isolation Centres, Old Age Home, Mummy’s Angels and Rose of Charity orphanage in preparation for Winter.

5 June 2020

22 June 2020

Two GeneXpert machines in Victoria Falls serviced and reprogrammed to test for COVID19 meaning Victoria Falls will be processing samples locally and will have a quicker turn around on results, which in turn will allow for quicker reaction on suspected cases and contact tracing.

22 June 2020

3 July 2020

COVID-19 Guidelines and Tourism Protocols released by the Government of Zimbabwe

3 July 2020

3 July 2020

Intra-district Travel Restrictions lifted allowing for the re-opening of domestic tourism

3 July 2020

3 July 2020

Franciscan Sisters of Victoria Falls donate food stuffs, and Ilala Lodge donate linen to the COVID-19 Quarantine Centres.

3 July 2020

6 July 2020

The Makery and Lynne Hogan (USA) donate 500 reusable face shields which will be distributed to rural clinics, Environmental Health Teams and other frontline workers.

6 July 2020

15 July 2020

Children’s Feeding Program launched by the Victoria Falls Pastors Group with 430 vulnerable children being fed hot meals from two feeding stations.

15 July 2020

16 July 2020

Two more feeding stations added tot he Children’s Feeding Program, over 1,350 children provided with hot meals.

16 July 2020

21 July 2020

Children’s Feeding Program gathers momentum, increases capacity to 2,780 meals per day.

21 July 2020

23 July 2020

14,314 children provided with meals in first week of feeding program.

23 July 2020

28 July 2020

Children’s Feeding Program reaches capacity of 4,300 meals per day.

28 July 2020

28 July 2020

Oak Foundation (USA) donate an Amadeo portable digital Xray Machine and an iStat Blood Gas Analyser for use in Victoria Falls Hospital

28 July 2020

8 August 2020

Jafuta Foundation repairs and provides ongoing maintenance for 10 motorcycles to be used by Ministry of Health in the rural areas surrounding Victoria Falls

8 August 2020

18 August 2020

3,200 bags of waste collected cumulatively by the Work for Food Program

18 August 2020

20 August 2020

Children’s Feeding Program surpasses 100,000 meals in under one month!

20 August 2020

30 August 2020

Victoria Falls Children’s Feeding Program joins the Jerusalema Challenge! Watch the video here

30 August 2020

8 September 2020

Rotary Club of Victoria Falls and The Jafuta Foundation collaborate to drill and equip a solar borehole in Sizinda Village.

8 September 2020

16 September 2020

Children’s Feeding Program surpasses 200,000 meals in first 47 days of operation.

16 September 2020

21 September 2020

Vice President Chiwenga and Ministry of Health officials tour Zimbabwe’s main airports to assess their readiness for the re-opening of international travel.

21 September 2020

23 September 2020

Air Zimbabwe resume their passenger service between Harare and Victoria Falls

23 September 2020

1 October 2020

Zimbabwe opens Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls Airports to International Travel.

1 October 2020

5 October 2020

FastJet Zimbabwe resumes it’s Harare – Victoria Falls service

5 October 2020

6 October 2020

Ethiopian Airlines resumes their Addis Ababa – Victoria Falls passenger service

6 October 2020

13 October 2020

COVID-19 PCR Testing available at Victoria Falls Airport

13 October 2020