More relief for Cyclone Idai victims

By The Standard | Apr. 9, 2019 | 2 Min read

Foreign governments and corporates have continued pouring in relief to benefit victims of the Cyclone Idai-induced floods despite reports of looting of proceeds by suspected Zanu PF officials.

BY VANESSA GONYE/MTHANDAZO NYONI

Foreign governments and corporates have continued pouring in relief to benefit victims of the Cyclone Idai-induced floods despite reports of looting of proceeds by suspected Zanu PF officials.

Yesterday, Japan, through the Japan International Co-operation Agency (Jica), handed over goods to Local Government deputy minister Jennifer Mhlanga to assist survivors, some of whom were rendered homeless by floods which killed 344 people, while over 257 are unaccounted for, particulary in Chipinge and Chimanimani.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe Toshiyuki Iwado said his government felt compelled to assist because disasters of this magnitude were a common phenomenon in his home country.

“Having experienced many natural disasters themselves, the people of Japan share with the sufferings experienced by the victims of the cyclone,” he said.

“These emergency relief goods that we are handing over this time can only cover a part of those affected. I do hope that they can contribute to improving the situation of the victims so that they can quickly rebuild their lives.”

Jica resident representative, Shumon Yoshiara said they heeded President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for assistance.

“We heeded to the call by providing emergency relief items that comprise 30 generators with 30 cord reels, 300 camp tents, 320 portable jerry cans, 30 rolls of plastic sheets, eight water purifiers and 20 000 flocculants (water treatment chemicals),” he said.

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National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) also donated foodstuffs and other consumables worth ZWR$20 000.

NRZ general manager, Lewis Mukwada said the parastatal has availed space in Harare to the Transport ministry to store mobilised goods and will also offer free rail transport for corporate and group-mobilised provisions in Bulawayo and Harare to Mutare.