via Flood victims face starvation – DailyNews Live by Godfrey Mtimba 2 MARCH 2014
Thousands of Tokwe-Mukorsi flood victims who relocated to Chingwizi camp in Nuanetsi Ranch face starvation as government struggles to feed them.
According to statistics released by government’s Civil Protection Unit this week, the families require over 150 000 tonnes of grains, amid reports of shortages.
The situation has resulted in government roping in local companies and non-governmental organisations for donations and food assistance.
The food donated so far has however, has failed to meet demand, since some families are going for as many as four days without a single meal at the camp.
“We are starving here because the food coming from government particularly grains, mealie meal and rice are not adequate for us all, some are getting the assistance while others are not and we are starving,” said a villager who declined to be named.
According to the statistics in the hands of the Daily News on Sunday, government needs about 149 985 tonnes of rice and 1 803,42 tonnes mealie-meal.
Apart from the shortage of food staffs, some relocated families are sleeping out in the open, with an extra 19 626 tents required to shelter them.
Relocated villagers who spoke to the Daily News on Sunday said they also feared an outbreak of diseases due to lack of proper amenities.
“We are actually living in fear of a possible eruption of a disease outbreak. The camp is filthy and we are facing shortages of nearly everything, safe drinking water, food, shelter you name it, it is raining and we sleep in the open with our children exposed to the harsh weather. It’s a matter of time that another disaster starts if the authorities do not act,” said a villager who only identified herself as Mai Tangai.
Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti confirmed the deficit but assured villagers that government would provide sufficient amount of food for the next 12 months.
“We still require those amounts we released to feed the families for 12 months and right now we are distributing what we have so far managed to get and we believe that we will get enough for the people. We still have a deficit in mealie meal, rice and other food stuffs, and we appeal to those assisting us to continue with donations,” said Bhasikiti.
Government has so far received 18 458 tonnes of mealie-meal fwhile it got 0,15 tonnes of rice in its possession from the required 150 000 tonnes.
It is also facing a shortage of 1 780 blankets, 53 360 water tablets to treat drinking water, 888 785 tonnes of beans, 185,3 tonnes of kapenta and 69 915 litres of cooking oil, among other essentials.
COMMENTS
Maswingo 100% voted Zanu Pf. Thats what you voted for ko chii chashata manje???
Nhai Va Mugabe. Do you not have any left overs from the wedding to send to these people.
It was apt for Mugabe to describe himself as a nine year old. His behavior is exactly like that of a boy of 9. Blow a million dollars on a birthday party while flood victims are starving. A week later show off your life of opulence at a wedding befitting royalty.
Shamelessly pathetic old fool.
The illustrious leader, we should all be like him.I would not touch him with a budge pole.
These Parastatal Bosses should donanate one Month’s salary it wl go a long way in helping the needy.
I have sympathy for the children who are caught up in this through no fault of their own. As for the parents please please please next time you vote DON’T be fooled by the bucket of maize meal placed in front of you at the rally or that shiny tractor strategically placed in front of you for show. These things glitter but they are certainly not for you.Because morning after the vote and it rains or drought ravages your neck of the woods you are on your own.
You rank in priority low down there with the toads in the pecking order. Maybe just maybe if the floods occured 2018 and they want your vote you might see them flock to your area but again it will be for show.
dzidzai learn
Bob our Iconic leader. Long live Bob, perish everyone else!!
It is no secret that the voters roll and the ballots have been kept away from interested parties. With all due respect to those who contribute on this forum no one can with certainty say exactly who voted for Zanu and who did not. They could not do a clean sweep because alarm bells would of rung across the whole world and they needed to lose a certain amount of votes to try to legitimize their win, hence the machinations of Nikuv. I have sympathy for all the people because the are ruled by a regime that has kill,can kill and will kill again. The only weapon they have is God and time.I said in a previous that the government does not have a disaster plan. This is true. Shame to those that donated money for the wedding of a rich woman whilst your brothers starve. One day these people will say When I needed a neighbour were you there, were you there?
When I needed a neighbour were you there.
I was hungry and thirsty, were you there, were you there?
I was cold, I was naked, were you there, were you there?
When I needed a shelter were you there, were you there?
When I needed a healer were you there, were you there?
There will be a special judgment for those who trample on the heads of the poor!
Where is the mp for that area?Those starving families must demand to see the person they eagerly voted for.