Opinion / Columnist
Lets complement Government effort in assisting flood victims
01 Mar 2017 at 07:54hrs | Views
Government through the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and other stakeholders is commendably doing well in responding to floods and other related disasters, considering the liquidity challenges the country is currently experiencing.
Since the onset of the rainy season, the CPU has been running spirited early warning campaigns to educate the public on the dangers the incessant rains are likely to pause. Both mainstream and social media have been harnessed by the Unit to reach out to the public to raise danger awareness on the prevailing weather.
It is unfortunate that more often than not, victims of national disasters are people who have a lackluster attitude on safety and timely evacuation from high risk areas leading to loss of human and animal life as well as destruction of household goods.
The CPU has been adequately resourced to make a massive media campaign. Warning messages have come flying to the public through cell phone text messages, radios, television, pamphlets and the social media. The Meteorological Service Department has also played a pivotal role in giving up to date weather reports complementing the CPU. Both departments have played very commendable synergies in raising this necessary awareness.
The Air Force of Zimbabwe is doing a great job in evacuating flood victims from affected areas. Recently they airlifted nearly 1000 flood victims from several districts of Zimbabwe namely Kwekwe, Gokwe, Buhera, Chegutu Gwanda and Tsholotsho to safety. The rescue operations commenced beginning of the year. Police Sub-Aqua Unit is also reacting swiftly to flood cases.
Flood victims in these affected areas are in urgent need of shelter, food, clothing and other basic items needed for human survival. It is, therefore, our responsibility as fellow citizens to feel for our relatives and friends and stretch our helping hands to assist them with whatever we can afford, as individuals, families, churches or companies. Assistance can be in form of cash or kind.
Flood victims in Tsholotsho who are at a makeshift camp at Sipepa clinic are in urgent need of food, shelter, clothing and aid agencies such as United Nations Children`s Emergency FUND (UNICEF), Red Cross Society of Zimbabwe (ZRCS), Plan International and others have come to the aid of the affected villagers, providing food, tents and toilets. However, the situation remains dire. UNICEF donated some classroom size tents for use as classrooms and they also provided learning materials such as exercise books. President Robert Mugabe last Friday also donated 10000 tonnes of mealie meal and other groceries to the flood victims.
Recently the Ministry of Environment water and climate recommended that a state of disaster be declared in the country`s southern provinces where one person was killed while hundreds were marooned by flooded rivers that swept away homes and animals. The fatality was recorded in Bikita owing to landslide.
Since the onset of the rainy season, the CPU has been running spirited early warning campaigns to educate the public on the dangers the incessant rains are likely to pause. Both mainstream and social media have been harnessed by the Unit to reach out to the public to raise danger awareness on the prevailing weather.
It is unfortunate that more often than not, victims of national disasters are people who have a lackluster attitude on safety and timely evacuation from high risk areas leading to loss of human and animal life as well as destruction of household goods.
The CPU has been adequately resourced to make a massive media campaign. Warning messages have come flying to the public through cell phone text messages, radios, television, pamphlets and the social media. The Meteorological Service Department has also played a pivotal role in giving up to date weather reports complementing the CPU. Both departments have played very commendable synergies in raising this necessary awareness.
Flood victims in these affected areas are in urgent need of shelter, food, clothing and other basic items needed for human survival. It is, therefore, our responsibility as fellow citizens to feel for our relatives and friends and stretch our helping hands to assist them with whatever we can afford, as individuals, families, churches or companies. Assistance can be in form of cash or kind.
Flood victims in Tsholotsho who are at a makeshift camp at Sipepa clinic are in urgent need of food, shelter, clothing and aid agencies such as United Nations Children`s Emergency FUND (UNICEF), Red Cross Society of Zimbabwe (ZRCS), Plan International and others have come to the aid of the affected villagers, providing food, tents and toilets. However, the situation remains dire. UNICEF donated some classroom size tents for use as classrooms and they also provided learning materials such as exercise books. President Robert Mugabe last Friday also donated 10000 tonnes of mealie meal and other groceries to the flood victims.
Recently the Ministry of Environment water and climate recommended that a state of disaster be declared in the country`s southern provinces where one person was killed while hundreds were marooned by flooded rivers that swept away homes and animals. The fatality was recorded in Bikita owing to landslide.
Source - Tendai Guta
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