Early rains affect over 500 households

AT LEAST 535 households across the country had their homes damaged by rains last week, the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has said.

The rains, which were characterised by downpours and strong winds, also damaged 35 schools countrywide.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, CPU director Mr Nathan Nkomo said the most affected province was Mashonaland Central, which recorded damage to homes of 272 households.

The CPU has since instructed the Grain Marketing Board to provide grain to each province as part of relief efforts for the victims.

CPU’s command centre, Mr Nkomo said, will be operational around the clock starting this week until the situation improves.

As the rains continue in some areas, he said, they fear cholera could be another problem they may have to deal with.

In Buhera, they had set up 15 treatment centres, he added. The CPU said the destruction caused by the early rains had highlighted the need to plan ahead.

“We have now set up a contingency plan, as required by Section 9 (2) of the Civil Protection Act, which will assist in co-ordinating all civil protection players in the disaster risk sector,” he said.

“Each and every player will be aware of their role. We will only refer to it to see if it is a technological hazard, epidemic, human-wildlife conflict, mining issue or whatever area.”

He said the contingency plan will be presented to Cabinet for approval this week.

“The plan will be accompanied by budget estimates of how much it would cost to execute it. I hope the Government will align local authority devolution funds according to prevailing challenges.”

CPU requires at least US$103 million in terms of resources for early recovery planning, while US$301 million is needed for the rest of the wet season, he said.