Authorities assess the damage of Cyclone Idai in Bikita
…..17 injured, 5 11
people left homeless
Courage
Dutiro
Although Cyclone Idai’s
effects were felt mainly in the Manicaland districts of Chimanimani and
Chipinge, some 5 257 families in Masvingo province are also in distress after
losing family members, houses and other belongings in the violent storm.
Data released by the
provincial information office on Thursday, March 21, shows that five people,
three male adults and two male children, were killed by the cyclone in Bikita
district.
A total of 17 people
were injured in Chiredzi, Gutu and Zaka districts while 511 houses were
destroyed; 125 of them in Gutu, 45 in Masvingo Rural and 50 in Zaka.
A total of 5 257
households were affected by the excessive rainfall one way or the other, the
majority of them in Bikita (3 134), followed by Gutu (948), Zaka (753),
Masvingo Rural (345) and Chiredzi (77).
“The affected
households need assistance in form of food, blankets, clothes, building
materials, medical assistance for the injured, non-food items, funeral
assistance and stationery for children affected,” reads the report which was compiled
by the Masvingo Civil Protection Unit (CPU).
“To date, 13 schools
were affected in Gutu and the district CPU is assessing the extent of the
damage. Four cells and a kitchen at Mutimurefu Prison in Masvingo district were
blown away,” the report reads.
It further says a total
of 71 squat hole Blair toilets were destroyed in various schools, while a 1x2
classroom block was severely damaged at Mutsambiwa High School in Zaka.
Other materials that
are listed as needed for the immediate relief of victims are tarpaulins,
potable water, containers, aqua tablets and soap.
The report says
measures taken in response to the crisis include the distribution of Social
Welfare grain to all affected families throughout the province and the
distribution of non-food items by the District Development Fund (DDF).
However, victims in
Chief Chitsa’s area in Gutu told TellZim News they had not received any help
despite their houses having been destroyed.
“Some seven families
had their houses destroyed by the cyclone in this village alone but we have not
yet received any form of help. It is a desperate situation here,” said Sherlieter
Makadzange of Gijima village, whose kitchen hut was razed to the ground.
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