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War veterans, the army and a number of non-governmental organisations have pledged to donate building materials to the 10 families who were left homeless after a storm hit Makokomba Village in Nyamandlovu early last week.
The storm also affected a local school where it destroyed stationery, blew off the roof of a classroom block and a teacher’s cottage at Makokomba Primary School and left an eight year-old girl with minor injuries.
In an interview yesterday, Umguza District Administrator, Mrs Ernetty Sithole said a District Civil Protection Unit (CPU) meeting was held on Friday at which the assistance was pledged.
“Different bodies have since come forward and promised to assist the victims. The Zimbabwe National Army has promised to construct the Makokomba classroom block which was destroyed by the storm.
“They promised to start repairing the block as soon as they mobilise the resources necessary for the work,” said Mrs Sithole.
She said the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association donated two bags of cement towards the construction of the classroom block while the local council has promised to mobilise building materials and manpower.
Mrs Sithole said NGOs have also come forward to help the community.
“Hope for a Child in Christ (HOCIC) has promised to send a carpenter who will repair the roof of the houses and school block.
“DP Foundation will soon start distributing tents for the homeless villagers. The International Organisation for Migration has also promised to work with DP Foundation in supplying the homeless villagers with the tents. Some of the villagers are still living in the open,” said Mrs Sithole.
She said the Nyamandlovu business community has pledged to provide the victims with food.
She said the Forestry Commission, the District Development Fund, Turnal and PG Timbers have promised to donate timber to repair the roofs of the houses.
“The companies have promised to donate the timber for the construction of the houses. They did not give us the exact amount of timber they will donate but they promised to deliver it as soon as they finalise with their respective companies,” said Mrs Sithole.
She said Nyamandlovu Police promised to ferry the injured child to a local hospital.
“The Ministries of Health and Child Care, Primary and Secondary Education, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority have also pledged to mobilise resources to assist the victims,” said Mrs Sithole.
She said the district has sent a formal report to the Civil Protection Unit head office in Harare and to the Umguza MP Dr Obert Mpofu to appeal for assistance.
Mrs Sithole expressed gratitude towards the donors.
“We are grateful for the assistance that the donors are rendering to the victims. We still extend our invitation for more well wishers within and outside the district to come forward and help the victims.”
Online Reporter