Derick Tsimba

Government through the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing continues to step up its efforts to assist the victims of Cyclone Idai. As of today, $50 million has been unveiled by treasury to ensure relief is provided to the victims of Cyclone Idai.

The Ministry of Local Government on its latest update report on Cyclone Idai said Manicaland Province had suffered the worst impact from the Cyclone.

“The country has witnessed the manifestation of Cyclone Idai following the alert by the Meteorological Services Department. Manicaland Province has so far suffered the worst brunt of the cyclone and some of its impacts on its districts are as follows, in Chimanimani 23 wards with 8 000 households were affected, in Chipinge Rural, 32 wards with 3 000 households were affected, in Chipinge Urban, 8 wards were affected and Buhera northern wards where 1 000 households got affected.

“In Masvingo Province, the following districts were affected, in Bikita 12 wards had 405 households which were affected, in Gutu one ward with 153 households was affected, in Masvingo two wards with 61 households were affected and in Zaka district 5 wards with 100 households got affected,” said the Ministry of Local Government.

Minister of Finance and Economic Developmenet, Professor Mthuli Ncube on his twitter handle said his Ministry had unveiled $50 million towards the damage caused by Cyclone Idai.

“The social impact of the 2% electronic transfer tax is now in action: the Ministry of finance has released $50 million for emergency and infrastructure restoration following Cyclone Idai-induced floods destruction and infrastructural damage across Zimbabwe.

“These funds will go towards Cyclone Idai rescue efforts and rehabilitation of affected citizens and restoration of rural feeder roads and other structures. The funds have been allocated to the Civil Protection Unit, the Department of roads, Education, Health, Water and Sanitation and Electricity. We applaud the efforts of Zimbabwean citizens, companies, civic organisations, international partners in our collective effort and showing unwavering support to our fellow citizens suffering from devastating force of Cyclone Idai,” said the Finance Minister.

The President of Zimbabwe, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to arrive in Manicaland province today with a high powered delegation where he shall supervise rescue and relief efforts.

Whilst in United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently, the President had to cut short his official visit there in order to be in Zimbabwe to assist the victims of Cyclone Idai. UAE has since pledged to assist Zimbabwe with medicines and materials which are expected to arrive in the country shortly. 

Cyclone Idai deadly impacted on the country’s weather phenomenon has subsidised, rescuing efforts are now at full throttle with the aid of helicopters. As for the injuries and fatalities, 98 deaths, 217 missing, 102 injured and 42 marooned have been recorded so far.