Mugabe regime begs for $200m

The cash-strapped government is begging the international community for $200 million in aid to repair the country's infrastructure which was damaged by floods.   
The heavy rains have killed almost 250 people leaving about 2,000 people homeless, and displaced around 900 people. 
About 72 dams are also reported to have burst because of the floods.
In a meeting with foreign diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe on Monday, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa said preliminary estimates indicate that the country would need between $188 million to  $200 million.
"We are going to mobilize $35 million ourselves as government towards that effort. We've tried to take care of the immediate humanitarian needs such as food, blankets  and sanitation," Chinamasa is quoted saying by the Source.
"Our damage is worse than experienced in other (SADC) member countries. The damage is extensive, it affects social institution's, clinics, hospitals, schools it affects the entire road network."
United Nations (UN) Resident representative Bishow Parajulisaid it was critical  to ensure that the spread of infectious diseases was contained.
"What is critical at this stage is to prevent infectious diseases such as diarrhoea which has started resulting in typhoid in some areas cholera."