Staff Reporter
The Government of Zimbabwe has registered successes in the implementation of the Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project (ZIRP) following combined efforts with its development partners, the Harare Post can report.
Addressing delegates on the occasion of the Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project (ZIRP) Close out Ceremony, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Minister Winston Chitando said that the ZIRP intervention which was declared by President Emmerson Mnangagwa following Tropical Cyclone Idai State of Disaster in 2019 has come to an end with success.
“I am reliably informed that the ZIRP is a USD 72 million project accorded to Zimbabwe by the World Bank over a period of 4 years and has finally come to end. Noteworthy are projects that were implemented across all the affected sectors, namely Transport, Disaster Management, Agriculture, Social Protection, Housing Environment, Water Supply and Sanitation. The main goal of ZIRP was to address the early and medium-term resilient disaster recovery needs of the people affected by Cyclone Idai in Bikita, Buhera, Chimanimani, Chikomba, Gutu, Mutare Urban and Mutare Rural,” said Minister Winston Chitando.
Minister Chitando added that some of the humanitarian projects in the affected areas were successfully implemented by international agencies such as the Food Agricultural Organization (FAO), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the World Bank in partnership with Government.
“I take pride to announce to you some of the projects which are products of ZIRP. A significant number of dip tanks, largely piped water schemes, irrigation schemes, access roads and bridges were rehabilitated/constructed, critical infrastructure in hospitals, clinics and schools were also provided under this massive project. We are pleased that ZIRP has reached out to a total of 770 000 people affected by Tropical Cyclone Idai in the 9 hard hit districts. Rehabilitation of irrigation schemes, provision of agricultural inputs, restocking of livestock and vaccination and setting up of nutritional gardens.
“I appreciate the efforts by the Government of Zimbabwe, the donor community and Multi-lateral financial institutions in recapitalizing our Meteorological Services Department (MSD). The MSD is now better placed to provide more accurate weather forecasts. However, more support is still required to continue to enhance our Early Warning system,” said Minister Chitando.
Meanwhile, the IOM, FAO, WHO and World Bank urged the Zimbabwe Government to remain resilient in coordinating efforts to rehabilitate displaced victims of the Tropical Cyclone Idai and continue to leave no one and no place behind in the implementation of Vision 2030.
