AfDB donates towards Cyclone Idai victims
RYAN CHIGOCHE
The African Development Bank (AfDB) this week donated equipment worth US$213 000 to the government to go towards the Cyclone Idai Recovery Project, Business Times can report.
Zimbabwe’s Manicaland Province was three years ago hit by a deadly cyclone which caused floods that left a trail of massive destruction of infrastructure and loss of lives.
The extent of damage caused by Cyclone Idai in the Chimanimani and Chipinge districts was unprecedented.
This week, AfDB handed the latest donations to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
The equipment will help government undertake various projects in efforts to return the situation to normalcy in the affected areas.
Moyo thanked AfDB for the gesture urging “all government departments and agencies involved to continue with the spirit of collaboration in the implementation of the projects”.
AfDB’s Walter Odero said when a government puts in well-structured policies and frameworks for disaster response, it makes it much easier for development partners to come in and complement the efforts of the government.
“It is with great pleasure therefore to be here today on such an occasion where the AfDB Group is demonstrating its commitment to support the Government of Zimbabwe to spur sustainable economic development and social progress particularly in the area of post disaster recovery,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by Emmanuel Nzabanita.
Two Nissan Single-cab pick-up trucks valued at US$43,290 were donated to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company.
This tranche of support also consists of ICT equipment for the Meteorological Services Department valued at US$32,493; and various tools, computers, and tents for the Provincial Civil Protection Committee worth US$136,485 bringing the total value of the donation to US$$212,268.
AfDB reported that in Chipinge, under the same project 3,622 households in the suburb of Gaza has had their septic tanks dislodged; restoring access to safe and sanitary ablution facilities.
More so through the implementation of this project community members have been recruited for general work with at least 50% of these general workers being women ensuring that as we address infrastructural challenges.
Since May this year, AfDB through PCIREP has provided $500,000 worth of vehicles, tools, and equipment to strengthen service delivery by the meteorological department.
To date, a sum of ZWL$220m has been disbursed towards the construction of houses for displaced communities and the government is targeting to complete the exercise to move the victims into their new homes before the onset of the rainy season.
