MASVINGO — About 35 Chivi families whose homesteads were destroyed by a hailstorm that hit the area last week received a timely lifeline following the donation of blankets, cooking utensils, foodstuffs and makeshift tents from several non-governmental organisations and churches this week. Tatenda Chitagu Own Correspondent
Speaking at the handover of the donations yesterday, Chivi Central MP Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana said more handouts were still required to assist the villagers to reconstruct their homes.
“While we got a good response from the NGOs, churches and the Civil Protection Unit, a lot still needs to be done as the situation remains critical. There ought to be money to reconstruct their homes and to roof their houses as some of the villagers are old and incapacitated to do so,” Mangwana said.
“The Civil Protection Unit gave each family $100. We also mobilised 180 blankets from the villagers which were donated by World Vision, meaning each family gets five blankets. The Salvation Army church also gave 10kg bags of mealie-meal per family, as well as Action Faim.
“The Red Cross provided tents for makeshift tents. The Grain Marketing Board will also provide at least two bags of maize per family for the coming months.
“A number of NGOs also assessed the damage yesterday and pledged to chip in.
These include World Food Programme and Care International, among others,” Mangwana said.
