Pillars of Peace Chairperson Justice Lombe Chibesakunda has established a bank account in which donations to mitigate the losses suffered by Lusaka City Market traders will be deposited.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today, Chibesakunda, who is also former Chief Justice said her organization has accepted to spearhead an appropriate response to mitigate the losses occurred in the city market fire incident.

“Following the tragedy of the inferno at the Lusaka City market and other other markets, the concerns from members of the public, we the Pillars of Peace have accepted to spearhead an appropriate response, to mitigate the losses suffered by individuals and groups who have lost goods and properties as well as merchandise, arising from these unfortunate incidents,” Justice Chibesakunda said.

“WE as Pillars of Peace Zambia under the auspices of Zambia National Peace Initiative, seek to promote and safeguard peace and peaceful co-existence among our citizens and communities. We unreservedly regret this wanton loss and destruction of property, livelihoods, peace, unity and security we so desire. In endeavoring to mitigate these sad occurrences, pillars of peace Zambia have established a bank account in which donations from well-wishers will be deposited, and so far K50,000 has already been pledged.”

Justice Chibesakunda said the details of the account would be published sooner.

Meanwhile Justice Chibesakunda said her organization shall conduct a systematic way of identifying individuals who have lost their property so that the assistance could be channeled to them.

“Pillars of peace Zambia shall engage a firm of professional accountants to handle the donations. Our organization is therefore earnestly appealing to the business community, NGOs, Embassies, and well-meaning Zambians to support this initiative. A peace and unity musical concert will be organized and the Zambian Association of Musicians have already pledged support to this endeavor. We shall be convening a meeting of all political parties and other stakeholders for an inter-party peace dialogue,” said Justice Chibesakunda.

She added that her organization would write to all Secretary Generals of all political apprises to invite them for the Inter-party peace dialogue.

Pillars of Peace Zambia is a non-Governmental organization concerned with the preservation and fostering of peace in Zambia.