Debra Matabvu
Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT has activated a comprehensive national response and resilience-building initiative, bringing together the public and private sectors, development partners, civil society and local authorities to coordinate response and recovery efforts following the hailstorm disaster that struck Masvingo last week.
The hailstorm affected an estimated 17 000 houses, 8 500 rooftops, five health centres, and five tertiary institutions namely Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo Polytechnic College, Masvingo Teachers College, Mucheke and Maud Muzenda Vocational Training Centres.
In addition, 29 schools in Masvingo, Chivi and Gutu; 173 Government housing units and offices; electricity infrastructure and other public utility assets were affected.
President Mnangagwa has since declared the hailstorm a State of Disaster, paving way for the mobilisation of Government resources and assistance from development partners.
Addressing the media during yesterday’s post-Cabinet briefing, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, said the Government had also activated a command centre in Masvingo to ensure a coordinated and timely response to the disaster.
The command centre will also facilitate the delivery of emergency assistance to affected communities, and support recovery efforts.
“The public is being informed that Government through Civil Protection Structures at National, Provincial and District levels, activated a comprehensive national response and resilience-building initiative, including involving the public and private sectors, development partners, civil society, local authorities and affected communities,” Dr Soda said.
“In addition, a Command Centre has been activated at the Civic Centre in Masvingo.”
He said Government had also started distributing food, medicines and psychosocial support to the affected households.
In addition, he said renovations of damaged Government houses had begun as well as replacements of damaged public infrastructure.
Dr Soda added: “Government has instituted disaster emergency measures including the following: The dispatch of 90 tonnes of mealie-meal and 90 tonnes of rice, while cooperating partners are assisting with food and non-food items to assist 6 711 vulnerable households including elderly persons, people living with disabilities, child-headed households, children and chronically ill persons.
“Deployment of 40 social workers to provide psychosocial support, complemented by Faith-Based Organisations.
“The renovation of 33 damaged Government houses with the remaining 15 to be completed within one week, restoration of power supply to affected health facilities including Masvingo Provincial Hospital.
“Replacement of damaged telecommunications infrastructure, solar installations, computer laboratories and electricity supporting systems at schools and other institutions.”
Government is also called for the maintenance of fair pricing of building materials to assist reconstruction efforts.
Dr Soda said there will be continued mobilisation of resources for the repair of all affected schools, under a Whole-of-Government and whole-of-Society engagement strategy.
He also said going forward Government will continue to strengthen its civil protection mechanisms and ensure comprehensive national response.
