In March this year, the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 — a flu-like health crisis a pandemic — forcing many governments across the globe to declare states of disaster or emergency depending on their statutes.

The International Monetary Fund estimates that nearly 70% of the population in Zimbabwe are in abject poverty as they live on less than US$2/day — the scientific threshold of poverty across the globe.

In a post-Cabinet briefing, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said: “Under the cash transfers to the informal sector members affected by COVID-19, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has paid cushioning allowances to a total of 197 000 people.

From the Cabinet briefing, it is clear that the government has only been able to assist less than one in five (>20%) of the most vulnerable people.

It is rare for lightning to strike twice in the same place, but Zimbabwe has had successive disasters — Cyclone Idai and COVID-19 — and on both occasions the regime has been found wanting in its disaster preparedness.