Red Cross moves in with flood disaster relief

via Red Cross moves in with flood disaster relief – DailyNews Live 11 JANUARY 2015

HARARE – Preliminary distribution of relief materials for flood victims caused by the recent heavy rains has now started in Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central, the Red Cross has said.

Takemore Mazuruse, the Red Cross spokesperson, said relief materials being distributed include tarpaulins for shelter, blankets, kitchen sets, soap and buckets for water storage

“Red Cross Volunteers are helping with shelter construction for the affected victims,” he said.

“The preliminary distribution of relief materials is being done while detailed assessments are being carried for meaningful intervention.”

In Harare, areas receiving relief materials include, Mbare, Hopley and Epworth. In Mashonaland Central, areas such as Bazwe, Nyambudzi area saw 50 homes being destroyed and people had to be relocated to a school.

In Kapembere 56 homes were destroyed, in Chiwenga 39 homes were damaged, Maungaunga 25 homes, Dambakurima 43 homes, while four homes were damaged in Chadereka, Mazuruse said.

“Mbire is the worst affected and the trail covers eight wards where as of yesterday 32 wards were covered in water, 72 toilets collapsed and 350 households affected and crops destroyed,” he said.

Kapembere area has received tarpaulins, kitchen sets and water buckets from the Provincial Civil Protection Unit (CPU) of which Zimbabwe Red Cross Society is a member.

The Red Cross team together with CPU officials and an inter agency team comprising IOM, FOST, Save the Children and World Vision was covering hard hit areas in Kanongo, Chitsungo and Chikafa.

He said assistance was required in Mashonaland West, pointedly in Zvimba where 21 households in Mucheti Village along Chinhoyi-Chegutu highway were stranded.

“In Manicaland we had not accessed the area because of challenges with vehicle movement,” he said.

“Non food relief materials have since been picked from Harare.”

In Chipinge, Save River water levels remained a threat, he warned, adding that areas with collapsed structures were still to be accessed.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society is expecting the Disaster Relief Fund from the International Federation of the Red Cross to enhance its intervention, he said.

“However, fact remains that competing needs outweigh available resources hence the need for other players to come on board,” he said.

“Any help particularly food is welcome.”