Midlands mobilises resources for storm ravaged families

MIDLANDS Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Cde Owen Ncube, convened a Provincial Civil Protection Unit disaster response meeting in Kwekwe on Wednesday where he received reports from various districts and activated the provincial disaster mitigation plan to assist families and public institutions that were affected by the recent violent storms.

The meeting sought to come up with an inclusive response plan and mechanism following the incidents at Globe and Phoenix Primary School and the recent heavy rain-induced disasters.

District Development Co-ordinators (DDCs), town clerks, and chief executive officers, as well as Government department representatives, attended the meeting.

The unexpected heavy rains accompanied by strong winds and thunder ravaged many districts in the Midlands province leaving one person dead and a number of families homeless. There were also incidents of injuries while 131 households and 17 schools were affected.

Kwekwe district had the highest number of affected families at 54 as, well as damaged health facilities and other public infrastructure, and uprooted trees.

Other affected districts include Gokwe North, Gokwe South, Redcliff, and Chirumhanzu, which recorded cases ranging from destroyed households, flooding, and blown-off classroom rooftops.

After receiving reports from various heads of departments, Minister Ncube charged the provincial CPU to start mobilising resources to assist families and public institutions that were affected by the storm.

He also visited some of the affected places in Kwekwe and Redcliff, where he said no one and no place should be left behind in terms of getting assistance.

“It is with a heavy heart that I address you at the backdrop of a tremendous loss of property, life, and shelter in the Midlands Province. What started as a welcome early rain turned out to be grief and sorrow for some houses and public infrastructure,” he said.

“This has, therefore, necessitated the activation of the Provincial CPU disaster response.”

Minister Ncube said while some district CPUs had started mobilising emergency relief for affected families, those who were yet to do so should start.

“I encourage all districts to start mobilising emergency relief for the affected families. We are a responsive Government and, in this regard, short-term medical support like food, shelter, evacuation centres, psychological and medical support must be provided urgently,” he said.

He urged private sector players and charity organisations to also come on board and collaborate with the Government to support the families in need.

“In the long term, local authorities should ensure compliance with building standards,” said the minister.

He expressed concern over delays in the commencement of construction works at Globe and Phoenix Primary School’s new site. This was after the minister received a report that the release of a letter of abandonment of the area was yet to be produced, hence delaying construction works to commence.

“The relocation of Globe and Phoenix Primary School should be treated as a matter of priority as it is one of the major disasters we have in the province.

“We cannot allow the issue of bureaucracy to delay the development process. We should start constructing the new school and the document will come at a later stage,” Ncube ordered.