By Cuthbert Mashoko
MWENEZI-Department of Civil Protection in Mwenezi District handed over Food and Non Food items to 69 victims of excessive rains that pounced on the district late last year and early this year which led to a spat of shelter destruction.
The food and non food items were handed over by the District Development Coordinator Isaac Mutambara alongside Councillor Tawanda Muza of Ward 18 on 11 April.
Speaking at the hand over ceremony, Mutambara highlighted that the compensation was a testimony of President Mnangagwa’s commitment of leaving no place and no one behind. “After we received reports on the destruction of houses due to excessive rains we forwarded that to offices above us and we are glad with the support we received from Government which is going to cushion you against the disaster which you experienced. This assistance from HE President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is testimony of his leaving no place and no one behind mantra as the Nation journeys towards Vision 2030.”
The DDC also took time to hint members of the community on the importance of proactive measures in reducing the impact of disasters. “While we grief over the destruction of houses which our communities experienced due to the excessive rains it is key that we also construct buildings that are stronger so that they withstand the excessive rains, equally important is for our communities to adopt to climate change resilient mechanisms ” echoed Mutambara.
Member of Parliament for Mwenezi East Constituency, Sheillah Chikomo hailed the donation towards the victims indicating that it was going to mitigate the challenges caused by the destruction.
“l would like to thank HE President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and all the Government Departments which made it possible for the victims of house destruction in Mwenezi East Constituency to get this compensation, this will obviously go a long way in bringing back their lives to normalcy.” said MP Chikomo.
Cllr Muza of Ward 18, welcomed the compensation for the victims highlighting that most of the affected were elderly people who are failing to make ends meet.
“I am happy with this donation towards the victims of the floods in ward 18. Most of the beneficiaries are old people and woman who are struggling to look after their families. ” hinted Cllr Muza.
Rutendo Marufu 73, a widow whose granary was destroyed by the excessive rains, welcomed the compensation and hailed the Government for chipping in. “We thank the Government for remembering us, l lost all my grain when my granary was destroyed by the rains but now l have something to see me through the season,” said Marufu.
The victims of the disaster received groceries, kitchen utensils, blankets and grain to help them recover in the aftermath of the destruction which left some of the families with inadequate food.
