TAWANDA MARWIZI
Cyclone Idai has not only left physical damage to Chimanimani and Chipinge communities but many will carry the traumatic and emotional experience for the rest of their lives.
Some of those who lost their relatives in the disaster are hopeful that they will eventually find them and give them a decent burial. Others are hopeful that their beloved are still alive.
Mike Marongwe whose three children and wife were swept away while he was at a local beerhall, has been visiting the place where his house was for almost a month now. Failing to hold back his tears, Marongwe explains how he frequently visits the place as he hopes to see the remains of his family.
“I come here on daily basis hoping to see my family…whether dead or alive. I spend most of my time here,” he said.
Some like Nhokutula Mugweni, have resorted to drinking alcohol, sticking to the adage of “drinking their sorrows away.”
“I lost my brother and his wife. I only survived because I had gone to Mutare for a job interview. He was the bread winner in our family and it’s sad that he is dead,” she said.
While people from all walks of life have played their part in giving relief for the affected communities, psychosocial support is one of the critical areas needed in the two areas.
There is need for serious counselling for the affected people.
Organisations like the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) have been complementing efforts by the government to dispatch a team of volunteers that provides counselling for the aggrieved.
Last week, Red Cross dispatched a team accompanied by their humanitarian ambassador Alick Macheso who took time to speak with the victims.
“We are with the families that were affected and we pray that God gives them mental strength,” Macheso said after he spent time with the families at one of the most affected St Charles Lwanga
ZRCS secretary general Maxwell Phiri said they were complementing the efforts by government to bring psychosocial support to the affected communities.
“We have to support these families and as a humanitarian organisation we work hand in hand with the government to provide the much needed assistance. Our teams are active on the ground and we are doing our best,” he said.
The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Dr Sekai Nzenza said they are working with social workers and some non-governmental organisations to give the affected families counselling.
“The ministry is in the process of conducting a needs assessment of everyone who was affected by the cyclone and taking special attention on the most vulnerable. We are looking at women, children, the elderly and the disabled. Social workers and volunteers are now working to protect them. We have children and people with no papers or identity documents now. They all need assistance. We have up to 3 500 children affected and some have lost parents. They all need support and to re-united with either their parents or relatives,” said Dr Nzenza.
