Govt needs US$612 million for Cylone Idai victims
SIMBA RUSHWAYA
The government will tomorrow launch a $612 million United States dollar aid appeal that is aimed helping victims of Cyclone Idai.
Addressing a post cabinet meeting press conference, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa revealed that the death toll from the disaster had risen to 344 and most of the missing persons are now presumed dead, while 158 people were buried in neighbouring Mozambique after they were swept away by the raging waters.
Mutsvangwa also revealed that on the day in question an earthquake measuring 3.8 ravaged Chimanimani resulting in the massive deaths and destruction of property on a large scale.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is on Wednesday expected to launch the formal appeal to the local and international donors to assist the victims and displaced persons.
“The search and recovery process is now confined to the recovery of the deceased, as the missing persons can now be presumed dead after three weeks. Specialized equipment and relevant expertise are being mobilized towards the recovery of the bodies buried under the massive rock debris.
” Furthermore, cabinet wishes to inform that a team of pathologists will travel to Mozambique to collect samples of the remains of Zimbabweans who were buried there in order to facilitate the conduct of DNA tests and subsequent positive identification by their relatives, ” said Mutsvangwa
