A UNITED Arab Emirates-based wildlife conservation organisation, Umlando, has donated 10 brand new Isuzu double-cab vehicles to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) to boost the authority’s wildlife conservation efforts.
The vehicles will enable ZimParks to effectively patrol its administrative regions, reach out to stakeholders and conduct projects to generate revenue, ultimately helping to achieve its set targets.
ZimParks director-general Edson Gandiwa expressed gratitude for the support provided by the UAE.
“ZimParks greatly values Umlando’s generous support, which strengthens our ability to manage and protect Zimbabwe’s wildlife,” he said.
“This partnership also opens up valuable investment opportunities for Umlando within the wildlife conservation sector.”
Added Gandiwa: “There is nothing more frustrating for a manager or officer with all the energy and zeal to be on the ground and get the job done, but then lacks the requisite tools of trade, worse still, spending more time under a vehicle than being in the vehicle which impedes on the key aspects related to patrolling their vast administrative regions, reaching out to stakeholder and conducting projects to generate the much needed revenue which capacitates the authority to achieve our set targets.”
UAE ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jassim Mohammed Al Qasimi said the donation was part of his country’s efforts to ease the struggles faced by Zimbabwean communities, particularly in the wake of a dry season which had impacted food security and livelihoods.
“In response to these pressing needs, the UAE government is ready to submit another generous donation to Zimbabwe, focusing on both renewable and non-renewable resources,” Al Qasimi said.
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