TWO large containers full of humanitarian aid have been collected by a Poole charity for distribution in rural Zimbabwe – but more donations are needed to ensure it gets to the people who need it the most.

The shipment of medicines, water treatment equipment and school supplies has been collected by the Rivers of Living Water Charity.

Charity founder Reverend Alan Clarredge was hoping to start transporting them soon, but travel restrictions imposed by authorities in the African nation ­ – compounded by the current coronavirus situation – may delay his efforts.

Rev Clarredge, from Rossmore Gospal Church, Poole, told the Daily Echo: "The situation is disastrous over there and we have been unable so far this year to find clearance from the Zimbabwe health authority to import our items.

"We have local contacts and have now found temporary storage in Harare until I can return.

"However, through the lack of fuel which for my work is imperative – I normally travel about 2,000 miles – and shortages in general, our task is even more complicated and the worst situation since 1985.

"Now difficulties have increased with restricted travel through the virus."

The reverend is calling for donations to cover import duties. These would normally be subsidised by the Zimbabwe hospitals and orphanages that receive the aid, but these organisations are now completely bankrupt following a summer of civil unrest last year.

Reverend Clarredge said: "Since last year we have collected two large containers of equipment for Zimbabwe including school uniforms and sports bags given to us from Bovington School, enough for over a hundred children and to be distributed between Monde (Victoria Falls) and Falcon Orphanages near Harare."

The shipment also includes babies clothes and blankets from the Pop –In Place, Bere Regis.

Reverend Clarredge worked as a medical technician in Zimbabwe in the 1980s and treated the country's first lady, Sally Mugabe, with kidney dialysis.

He established the charity to help people in poverty-stricken rural parts of the country