According to the local media, Zimbabwe's efforts to combat wildfires are being hampered by sanctions, with 17 Belarusian fire trucks currently being held in Lithuania. These trucks were seized by Lithuania, a NATO member, as part of measures targeting Russia and its ally Belarus. Without these essential vehicles, Zimbabwe is struggling to contain veld fires that are causing widespread damage to forests, homes, and wildlife.
“The world should learn to separate issues; where there is a need for humanitarian support, the issues of sanctions must fall by the wayside and let people be saved from issues that threaten their well-being,” Nathan Nkomo, Department of Civil Protection executive director, told local media, asking not to politicize things when it comes to people's lives.
In February this year, a Zimbabwean delegation was sent to Lithuania to discuss the confiscation of 17 fire trucks destined for Zimbabwe, the media reported.