The ManicaPost
Wimbainashe Zhakata Business Correspondent
A total of 115 small to medium enterprises (SMEs) from 11 service centres in Chimanimani need re-stocking to the tune of RTGS$958 540 following the destruction by Cyclone Idai.
This was revealed during the provincial dialogue meeting held in Mutare recently.
Manicaland provincial administrator Mr Edgar Seenza who chaired the meeting those who lost their businesses during Cyclone Idai would get help.
“Some of the business centres that were affected included Nhedziwa, Chimanimani village ward 15, Ngangu shopping centre, Peacock shopping centre, Nyahode junction, Machongwe business centre, Rusitu Ngorima, Kopa business centre, among others,” he said.
The provincial administrator also said the establishment of income generating projects was in progress to benefit the survivors.
“The community livelihoods income generating projects primarily target the internally displaced communities in the three holding camps of Ngangu and Kopa.
“The feasible projects which were identified are poultry production, horticulture, carpentry and metal fabrication.
“RTGS$1 600 000 is targeted to benefit both males and females in Ngangu and Kopa through poultry structures, three community nutrition gardens, three carpentry and welding shops with equipment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Seenza said more projects had been completed, and these included the 20 schools that were damaged as well as the conclusion of the excavation process in search of missing persons.
“Our focus for the week was on construction of 58 school latrines and 50 percent of the latrines have been completed whilst the rest are at various stages of construction.
“The second phase of the excavations of the sites identified by cadaver dogs from South Africa was concluded at Kopa on May 26.
“The excavations were carried out using an excavator availed by the Department of Roads. Despite the difficulties posed by the huge boulders all but one sites were excavated to the recommended radius,” said the provincial administrator.
As a way forward, the stakeholders agreed that Government should come up with insurance schemes in areas that are disaster prone so that they have a fall-back plan.
The need for emergency shelters and the establishment of emergency reaction drills were also recommended to be in place as a matter of urgency.
