Let's assist flood victims at Chingwizi Camp

It's now four months since the Tokwe-Mukorsi flood victims were forced to leave their homes due to heavy floods which left the Tokwe Murkosi dam wall damaged.   In as much as the Government is making valiant efforts to assist the flood victims, the nation at large should also lend a helping hand as the government can only do so much.

At Chingwizi Camp, in Mwenezi, where these flood victims were relocated, 3000 plus families are said to be at the risk of a number of diseases as a result of the overstraining of available facilities. In an interview with The Herald, Masvingo provincial HIV and AIDS co-coordinator, Mr Evos Makoni, noted that there are about 200 Sexually Transmitted Infections which were recorded since April this year.

"People at Chingwizi are falling victim to the most common types of STIs, especially syphilis and gonorrhea and all the cases are being handled at the local temporary clinic," he said. To make matters worse, it was also reported that some non-governmental organizations that had been offering medical services and health awareness campaigns to the camp residents have ceased their operations for unknown reasons.

It is a sad fact that the temporary toilets at Chingwizi camp are failing to accommodate the number of camp dwellers, hence, most of them are turning to the bush system. Human waste carries harmful micro-organisms that can easily contaminate water sources which will later cause harmful diseases such as cholera. Subsequently, more health problems are created.

It is also sad to hear that most women and young girls are failing to buy sanitary wear. As a result they have turned to the use of leaves. Such dire scenarios are in turn leading some of the people encamped at Chingwizi to engage in vices such as prostitution and theft.

Offering assistance to these people, with the little that we can afford no matter how small, is the best we can do instead of just blaming government for failing to take care of them. It is important to appreciate that government coffers are currently stretched to the limit and as such it is up to the ordinary citizens to step in and help our fellow Zimbabweans. A bar of soap, old or new clothes, a packet of sanitary ware, might seem inconsequential but will provide big help if collected countrywide.

The Tokwe-Murkosi floods are no one's fault despite some warped theories that were circulated and hence we should not let the victims suffer in order to spite the There is a Chinese proverb that says "If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.  If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody."  Accordingly as Zimbabweans let us dig deep into our souls, wallets and possessions and help those affected by the floods.

I believe that these flood victims should be assisted not only with material things but should also be educated on behavioral change.

Government has and is still playing its part in assisting the Chingwizi residents. It is now the duty of every individual, volunteers and organizations to assist the Government in mobilizing resources such as food, sanitary wear and clothes for the victims.