New houses for Masvingo Cyclone Idai victims

A consortium of non- governmental organisations has partnered Government to reconstruct key infrastructure in Masvingo Province in four districts affected by Cyclone Idai.

It is understood that over 500 houses will be built under the programme.

Masvingo’s Provincial Development Coordinator, who also chairs the local Civil Protection Committee, Mr Fungai Mbetsa, said the NGOs include China Aid, Methodist Development Agency, Christian Care and the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ).

The NGOs, he said, were already on the ground.

“We have a number of ongoing projects related to Cyclone Idai destruction,” said Mr Mbetsa. “Government and our development partners are in four affected districts addressing issues of shelter.

“Methodist Development Agency is already working on reconstructing about 450 houses for the affected villagers, while Christian Care is working on 40 houses in four districts.”

Mr Mbetsa said they had noted a lot of meaningful progress on the ground and were anticipating more partners would come in to complement Government efforts.

He said they were confident that a number of families would be having new shelter before the onset of the rainy season.

“My team has had some site visits in the last two weeks to appreciate the situation on the ground and we are happy with the progress,” said Mr Mbetsa.

“In the not so distant future, we will be visiting Zaka, Gutu and Masvingo districts, respectively.”

Mr Mbetsa said the IBDZ was reconstructing classroom blocks at three schools in Bikita, while China Aid was drilling and rehabilitating boreholes in the affected areas.

“If it is agreeable, we would hope that the same partner (China Aid) covers our most dry districts that include Chivi and Mwenezi, to address water challenges,” said Mr Mbetsa.

Early this year, an estimated 300 people died while more than 5 000 homes were destroyed due to Cyclone Idai which hit parts of Manicaland and Masvingo provinces. In Masvingo province alone, five people were killed in Bikita, while several others were left with serious injuries.

Gutu, Zaka and Masvingo districts also had a number of homes destroyed.