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Tariro Charandura
Some non-governmental organisations are partnering Government in assisting flood victims who have been affected by incessant rains that have mostly been pounding southern parts of Zimbabwe.
President Mugabe has declared the floods a state of disaster.
The floods have affected Chiredzi, Kanyemba, Lupane, Mwenezi, Mberengwa, Insiza, Matobo and Tsholotsho among other areas.
The Sunday Mail has gathered that UN aid agencies and some NGOs have been providing temporary shelter, drinking water, hygiene and sanitation facilities and services, education materials, medicine and nutritional supplements to the internally displaced people.
World Food Programme country representative Mr Eddie Rowe said they had assisted nearly 900 flood victims.
“WFP is working together with the Government in assisting at least 859 people displaced,” he said.
“The Government is providing cereal rations and WPF is complementing with rations of pulses, vegetable oils and super cereals to take families for 90 days.
“We are undertaking an assessment and as more details on the impact of the floods become available, we may find that there is greater need for food assistance.”
Government has activated national co-ordination mechanisms to rescue people and provide them with basic necessities.
Oxfam Zimbabwe country director Mr Machinda Marongwe said Government should provide regular updates to enable humanitarian organisations to assist.
“The Government should urgently carry out impact assessments, taking stock of the full extent of the damages and the number of people affected to ensure well-wishers and the development community have adequate information needed to raise resources,” he said.
Thousands of families have been affected by the floods that have damaged houses, property, food and washed away domestic animals.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter