ED declares two days of Cyclone Idai mourning
“Such is the horrific tragedy which hit us last week, one sure to stay in our memories for years to come. So, too, will the scars on individuals, on families, on communities and on our nation as a whole,” he said.
President Mnangagwa outlined a cocktail of measures in response to damages suffered.
The Government, he said, would intensify the search for all persons still missing from the cyclone disaster and recover and decently bury remains which are still outstanding.
“Ensure adequate food relief to affected families and communities between now and the next harvest, provide free medical services to all those affected by the cyclone,” said President Mnagagwa.
Government would provide temporary shelter to victims of the cyclone and provide safe and clean water supplies to affected communities as well as restoring key social services and amenities to affected communities.
“Restore communication services, both hard and soft, so that affected communities re-integrated with the rest of the country, take measures to prevent outbreaks of diseases and epidemics in and around affected communities,” he said.
The measures also include securing the lives and educational opportunities for children of families affected by the cyclone, begin to repair broken livelihoods for the affected families and their communities through a variety of interventions.
President Mnangagwa said Government would create safety nets and recovery programmes for the poor and vulnerable in the affected communities to help them recover and escape the poverty ratchet effect.
He said Government would settlements to safer areas.
“Through Government sponsored programmes support the rebuilding of stronger and more durable structures of shelter for our rural communities starting with families in susceptible areas,” he said. “Our whole approach to build environments just has to change in light of experience of this deadly cyclone.”
President Mnangagwa said Government would further embark on a comprehensive disaster mapping for the entire country and rework the national disaster management plan to make the nation better prepared for disasters in future.
After the cyclone disaster, President Mnangagwa said Government is going to build a national disaster fund to finance programmes and projects meant to fortify communities against future disasters and lobby for a subregional disaster prevention and management strategy as well as intensifying greater global advocacy and action against claimate change.
“In all these measures, Government will proceed by way of broad consultations at all levels and with all citizens to ensure there is consensus,” he said.
“For when all is said and done, a good disaster plan is one that enlists the support and involvement of communities.”
President Mnangagwa thanked Zimbabweans and all those who came on board with assistance to the victims of the cyclone for their support, sympathies and prayers in a clear demonstration of great sense of community activism. relocate