By Farai Matiashe
Plan International (Zimbabwe) has released US$10 000 towards rehabilitation of water facilities destroyed by Cyclone Idai in Chipinge.
The furious storm caused serious damage in Chipinge and Chimanimani two weeks ago.
Chipinge town has been without running water for two weeks after pipes and tanks were swept away by mudslides and floods.
Plan International head of programmes, Tsungai Mahumucha told NewsDay that materials needed to undertake the project had been given to Chipinge Town Council and repair work had started and was on schedule with supplies expected to be reconnected soon.
“There has been no running water in Chipinge town since Cyclone Idai disaster struck due to extensive damage to the pipeline supplying the town with water, impacting about 20 000 people. Currently, Plan International has committed to rehabilitating the water reticulation system,” she said.
“The procurement of the required materials valued at US$10 000 is now complete and these materials have been delivered to the Chipinge Town Council and rehabilitation work is underway. Currently, people are accessing water from open streams and springs putting children at risk to diarrheal diseases.”
Mahumucha said their humanitarian assistance such as distribution of sanitary ware and towels was focusing more on the vulnerable groups including women, girls and children.
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She said Plan International was providing psychosocial support for traumatised communities in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts, particularly children.
“With the trauma children have suffered we have set up child safe space at Skyline, Kopa, Rusitu and Ngangu, where we are rolling out child protection in emergencies and education in emergencies programmes. We have provided psychosocial support for 422 girls, 176 boys, 314 women and 110 men,” Mahumucha said.
Besides the ongoing distribution of household goods worth over $2,4 million which they have given to 1 000 households so far, Plan International was also assisting with food for the infants.
“We have been promoting exclusive breastfeeding for babies and the internationally recommended infant and young children feeding practices. We will provide supplementary feeding for households for two months until other long-term measures are put in place,” Mahumucha said.
