RUTENDO RORI
The Government is targeting to complete the construction of more than 1 000 housing units for families that were displaced by Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani by the end of this month, a Cabinet minister has said.
In 2019 Cyclone Idai struck Chimanimani and Chipinge districts in Manicaland. Some parts of Mashonaland East and Masvingo provinces were also affected, leaving a trail of destruction.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of vehicles under Cyclone Idai and Kenneth Emergency Recovery Resilience programme donated by Africa Development Bank (AfDB) this week, Local Government Minister, July Moyo said about 220 displaced families will benefit from housing units.
Out of this, 55 houses have been built already.
“In the areas of housing, I am pleased to note that at West End farm, (Chimanimani), where 220 internally displaced households are to be resettled, 55 housing units of the targeted 220 have been constructed,” Moyo said.
He added: “Government is targeting 105 housing units by the end of June this year.
“The internally displaced households were allocated 6 000 square metres stand and all the legal processes are now complete.
“While construction of permanent housing units is in progress, a mitigation measure in the form of permanent structures of two roomed cabins are being provided with support from IOM.
“Additional amenities provided on the site include three boreholes, which will facilitate the provision of water required for the construction project.
However, it must be noted that the amount of water available is inadequate and a permanent solution where water will be drawn from Umvumvumvu River is being finalised.”
Speaking at the same event, AfDB country manager Moono Mupotola said the lender will continue working closely with the government to respond to the needs of the affected communities.
“I would like to appreciate the Government for the enormous efforts it made to address the pressing challenges faced by the affected communities when Cyclone Idai wreaked havoc, through immediate and ongoing coordination of all Cyclone Idai response programmes, relocating displaced persons to the West End Housing Scheme, and the ongoing construction of cyclone-resistant houses, immediate rehabilitation of roads in the vicinity as well as the major highways of Mutare-Chimanimani and Mutare Chipinge,” she said.
“In achieving our overarching objective to contribute to poverty reduction, the AfDB is also ensuring that all our investments are designed, installed, implemented, and managed to reduce and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change
“The Post Cyclone Idai and Kenneth Emergency Recovery and Resilience Programme (PCIREP) for Zimbabwe is one such instance where the AfDB is working closely with the Government of Zimbabwe and UNOPS to respond to the needs of affected communities by restoring damaged infrastructure that is adapted to withstand future flood-related disasters.”
The government, through the Department of Public Works, started construction of permanent houses at West End farm last year with an initial batch of 20 houses.
Construction of another 55 houses which are now at various stages also began in December after the Treasury released ZWL$44m.
The department has already begun the construction of more houses using the ZWL$86m government released in January this year.
It is estimated that US$700m is required to support Zimbabwe’s recovery and restore damaged infrastructure and livelihoods.
