By Derick Tsimba

The District Development Fund (DDF) is in the process of repairing and sanitising water points in Cyclone Idai affected areas.

More than 175 boreholes in Manicaland’s Chimanimani, Chipinge and Mutare are being repaired.

On its twitter handle, the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services said DDF was repairing boreholes, damaged roads and bridges to allow relief vehicles to access hit areas.

“DDF is also now in the process of repairing and rehabilitating existing water points. 175 water points need to be repaired. DDF will also flush out contaminated water points and sanitize them working in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Child Care officials.

“DDF is part of the Cyclone Idai relief efforts. In its preliminary response to the disaster, DDF has mobilized three trucks with a carrying capacity of 18 000 litres of water. To date water has been delivered in Chipinge urban which has a target population of 25 000 people. Some of the areas that continue to be covered by DDF water distribution include: Chipinge Hospital, Chipinge Prison, Chipinge Government Complex, ZRP Chipinge, Mt Selinda High School and Hospital,” said the Ministry.

The Ministry of Information also said DDF was in the process of repairing damaged roads to allow relief food and non food items to reach the hit areas.

“While DDF repairs roads and bridges, it has created detours to allow relief vehicles to access the Cyclone Idai hit areas. DDF repairing and rehabilitation of roads and bridges is under way in Chimaninani, Chipinge and Mutare,” said the Ministry.

Harare Post has learnt that, in line with Government’s directive to immediately construct new settlements in Manicaland, University of Zimbabwe and National University of Science and Technology among others have been tasked to design the new model that can withstand future disasters. DDF shall be responsible for drilling boreholes for these new settlements.