KARIBA, Aug. 16 (NewsDay Live) — The government has announced US$100 in cash assistance for each person affected by the Kariba ferry disaster to help families meet funeral and other immediate costs.
The announcement was made late on Saturday by Kariba district development coordinator Rodwell Mtetwa, who chairs the Civil Protection Unit for the district, while addressing mourners at Kariba District Hospital during the identification of recovered bodies.
“As government we are trying our best to make sure that no one is left out as we continue with the search. Our search teams are now based at the island and they are making sure that they do a thorough search,” Mtetwa said.
He said the assistance would cover both survivors and families of those who died, with payments to deceased victims’ next of kin.
“Everyone is going to receive it, whether deceased and living. For the deceased, assistance will be collected by the next of kin. Everyone is receiving a hamper to cushion them during this difficult time,” he said.
Mtetwa said the Zambezi River Authority had contributed US$20,000 towards the response, including fuel for rescue teams, with US$100 allocated to each affected person.
“We noted your details and whatever help that will come, you will be contacted and receive it,” he said.
Government has also provided two buses to transport families traveling to Mola, where many of those affected are from, as far as Chalala.
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Mtetwa said the state and its partners would also cover other burial-related costs, including caskets, transport, food and clothing.
The Mbuya Nehanda boat capsized last Tuesday at Long Island while traveling to Chalala Fishing Camp, with the exact number of people who were on board still to be established.
A total of 72 people have so far been confirmed dead, while 67 survived the disaster.
The recorded recoveries were 13 bodies on Tuesday, 31 on Wednesday, two on Thursday, none on Friday and 26 on Saturday.
The government has declared the disaster a national emergency and assumed overall coordination of the response.
Search teams remain stationed at the island as operations continue for any remaining missing people.
The Civil Protection Unit said all registered next of kin would be contacted as further assistance becomes available.
