The ManicaPost
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Reporter
THE International Organisation for Migration has partnered with Government to fund the construction of 674 transitional shelters for people displaced by the March 2019 Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani and Chipinge.
The programme, which will be done at a cost of US$404 000, will see 200 shelters being constructed in Chipinge, 250 for communities in Chimanimani and another 224 for those living on tents.
Speaking at the launch of the distribution of the materials for the transitional shelter at Bumba Primary School in Chimanimani yesterday (Thursday), Local Government and Public Works Minister, July Moyo, said the programme is important in restoring the hope and dignity of those affected by the disaster.
He urged Chimanimani Rural District Council to facilitate the swift allocation of stands to the beneficiaries.
“The project that has brought us here today is meant to provide better shelter for survivors of the Cyclone Idai-induced disaster and to decongest the population currently in camps for internally displaced persons in order to curb local transmission if the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
IOM is providing construction material for two-roomed prefabricated structures to be constructed at the site where permanent houses are being constructed.
More than 50 houses for the IDPs have so far been constructed at West End Farm in Bumba.
Funds for another 70 houses have been released by Treasury and work is expected to start soon.
Following the Cyclone Idai disaster, Government worked with the World Bank, Africa Development Bank, the United Nations and other stakeholders to develop and operationalise a recovery and resilience framework to guide cyclone recovery, broader risk management and resilience building in Zimbabwe.
Minister Moyo said efforts by IOM are complementing Government’s efforts and urged other aid agencies to join hands in building a self sustainable community in Bumba.
IOM national officer for capacity building and advocacy, Mr Gideon Madera, who was standing in for their chief of mission, Mr Mario Lito Malanca, said IOM has been providing support to Government to address needs of Cyclone Idai affected communities since 2019.
“Currently, under the Enhancing multi-sectoral assistance to cyclone Idai affected populations in Zimbabwe’ project, funded by USAID/Bureau for humanitarian assistance and the Government of Japan, IOM is providing camp coordination and management services in camps, strengthening disaster risk management capacities of communities and district civil protection committee,” he said.
He commended the Government for its commitment to providing legal land ownership rights to beneficiaries which will ensure that IDPs can move on with their lives.
Representatives for the IDPs expressed their gratitude for the commitment to move them to the permanent shelter.
Mr Musindo Sigauke who was representing IDPs in Chipinge, said many had lost hope, but getting these transitional structures will bring relief.
“Some of those who were affected had left for South Africa, but they had to come back to the dilapidated structures they left. We are happy that now they can have decent accommodation,” he said.
Mr Soul Sithole, secretary for the IDPs in Chimanimani, said Cyclone Idai victims will appreciate moving to the permanent homes.
