Manicaland –IOM, the UN Migration Agency has dispatched 1000 tarpaulins and 200 NFI kits as initial response to the cyclone Idai disaster that hit the south-eastern Zimbabwe particularly Chimanimani and Chipinge districts. The cyclone which also affected parts of Masvingo and Mashonaland East, has so far affected 50 000 people, accounted for 104 lives and left a trail of destruction in terms of shelter, schools, health centres, livelihoods and road infrastructure. Hundreds are still missing, and search and rescue operations are still in progress.

People in these affected areas are in dire need of emergence assistance of shelter, food, non-food items, sanitation and clean and safe water as entire households, sources of livelihood and social amenities were wiped away by the heavy rains and violent winds.

The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa on 18 March declared a state of disaster given the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by the torrential rains. The declaration which covered areas of Manicaland and Masvingo also included other areas likely to be affected by the Cyclone. This allowed the Department of Civil Protection (DCP) to support these communities in partnership with government, UN and NGO partners.

Affected vulnerable households in Chimanimani started receiving emergence shelter and NFI assistance from IOM on 19/03/19. “I could see my loved ones dying, there are children here who are now orphans and have nowhere to stay. The house where I lived was destroyed, I am devastated.” Said Jane of Chimanimani who is expecting a child in April. “These tarpaulins will protect me and my family from the rains, thank you! I hope you have enough for everyone around here, our challenges are the same.” 

Among national and international partners responding to the crisis, the Government of Zimbabwe though the CPD requested IOM to lead the shelter and Non-Food Items (NFI) cluster, “We are swiftly responding to areas of Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Masvingo which are in desperate need of relief. Our UN migration partner IOM is coordinating the shelter and NFI emergence assistance response and they are already in Manicaland for rapid emergence needs assessment,” said Nathan Nkomo the Director forthe Department of Civil Protection.

The District Administrator for Chipinge, Wilson Mashava appealed for more humanitarian support in order to reach out to more displaced households in desperate need of assistance. “We are very grateful for IOM’s timely response. The assistance will go a long way in assisting the affected communities, but we still need more. The demand is extensive, Manicaland has more than 16 000 displaced households and most of these people are still exposed to the harsh weather conditions,” said Mashava. “As you can see, women children and the elderly are the most affected. We need to assist them as soon as possible,” he continued.

Indications from the United Nations report are that 50 000 people have been affected by the Cyclone, approximately 16 000 households have been displaced (Chimanimani 8000, Chipinge 3000, Buhera 1000 and Mutare 4000), 104 died and 180 are missing. Four temporary holding camps have been established at Wengezi, Skyline, Cooper and Ngangu, logistics hubs are at Christina primary school and Wengezi where materials are airlifted to Cooper and Ngangu Camps.

For more information please contact Varaidzo Mudombi at IOM Zimbabwe – telephone +263242704285 email: vmudombi@iom.int