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Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau
Dozens of people that were left homeless after a hailstorm swept through the Chegutu District early this week, will soon receive food and sanitary support from the Government, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo, has said.
She said this yesterday when she visited some of the affected people, where she also handed over various items including maize and sugar beans, provided by the Government.
Speaking at Chikoore Primary School in Chegutu’s Ward 9 under Chegutu East Constituency, Minister Chombo said: “Our President is going to ensure that the affected communities are supported.
“Through the Civil Protection Unit that falls under the Local Government and Public Works Ministry, we have started to avail assistance to the affected families and institutions.”
While the maize and sugar beans was provided from yesterday, the major priority now is to set up enough toilets to ensure that communities don’t suffer a double blow of displacement and contracting cholera.
The extreme weather led to the death of about six people across the country, while infrastructure and crops, mainly wheat, were badly damaged.
In Mhondoro-Mubaira’s Ward 2, the hailstorm claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy.
The boy succumbed to injuries he sustained after a building in which he was, collapsed after giving in to heavy rain and strong winds. He was rushed to Chegutu Hospital for medical attention where he later died.
Classroom blocks, clinics and houses, were also damaged across the district, with Mhondoro-Mubaira being the hardest-hit.
Minister Chombo said the Government was saddened by the loss of life and property in the district.
The district also recorded one of the worst mining disasters three weeks ago when a shaft at Bay Horse Mine caved in, trapping dozens of artisanal miners.
Only six bodies were retrieved while at least seven were trapped underground before the search and rescue efforts were abandoned after it was realised that continuing with the processes was dangerous.
Assistant District Development Coordinator and vice chairperson of the Chegutu Civil Protection Unit (CPU), Mrs Dzosai Muzvidziwa-Chari, said they were still collating information to ascertain the number of people affected by the rains.
She said information was still trickling in but indications are that many families were affected by the rains in various ways.
“They are in need of food, tents for temporary shelter and medicine,” she added.
School representatives, community leaders including village heads and families affected, thanked the Government for rising to the occasion and providing assistance.
Chegutu East legislator Cde Webster Shamu and Mhondoro-Mubaira legislator Cde Chamu Chiwanza have also rendered their assistance to affected families in their communities.
Chegutu Rural District Council acting chief executive officer, Mr Admire Machingura, said they were working to ensure that roads are rehabilitated to improve accessibility.
Meanwhile, Minister Chombo called on the people to prioritise planting trees so they act as windbreaks during hailstorms.
“We have also noticed that the most affected areas are those that don’t have enough trees that act as windshield.
“With the change in climate, these effects can only be addressed if we act positively,” she added.
Online Reporter