CHIMANIMANI- Under the project, Enhancing Multi-Sectoral Assistance to Cyclone Idai Affected Populations in Zimbabwe, IOM is supporting the Government of Zimbabwe with the provision of transitional shelters to 674 households affected by Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts. Among households receiving transitional shelter assistance are 224 from three formal camps and one informal camp in Chimanimani District. With funding support from the USAID (Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance) and the Government of Japan, the project is providing camp coordination and camp management services, strengthening Disaster Risk Management capacities of communities and District civil protection committees, tracking the mobility and vulnerabilities of populations affected by cyclone Idai and providing transitional shelter.

Officiating the launch of the construction of transitional shelters was Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Hon. July Moyo, accompanied by his Deputy Hon. Minister Marian Chombo, Hon. Mike Madiro from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, MP Hon. Joshua Sacco and Chief Mutambara. Minister Moyo outlined the various interventions that government is overseeing aimed at bringing relief to communities affected by cyclone Idai. ‘In all we do, the focus should be the beneficiaries. We must bring hope to the people of Chimanimani and Chipinge and assure them that they can finally have space which they can call their own,’ Minister Moyo said. He thanked IOM, USAID and the Government of Japan for their commitment to bring a lasting and dignified solution to the issue of shelter for affected populations. He instructed the relevant authorities to expedite processes to ensure the quick allocation of stands for the affected households and emphasized the importance of providing WASH services for them as they resettle.

In a speech read of behalf, IOM Zimbabwe Chief of Mission Mario Lito Malanca said that IOM, in close collaboration with relevant government authorities, particularly the Department of Public Works and the Rural District Councils led the processes of identification and selection of shelter beneficiaries, and the training of local builders and carpenters who will construct the transitional shelters. He expressed his gratitude to government for its commitment to providing legal land ownership rights to beneficiaries which contributes towards attainment of durable solutions for the IDPs. ‘I would like to thank our partners USAID and the Government of Japan- for their continued support now and for future projects. IOM remains committed to supporting the Government in addressing migration issues and providing durable solutions for displaced populations.’ Malanca said.

For more information contact Fadzai (Penny) Nyamande-Pangeti  

+263242704285 fnyamandepan@iom.int