Floods wash away homes in Harare and outlying areas

By Tererai Karimakwenda
09 December, 2007

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has deployed response teams to areas affected by floods in Zimbabwe, in order to assess the needs of thousands of homeless families and bring them some assistance. IOM teams are providing aid in the form of tarpaulins for temporary shelter, blankets, mosquito nets and water purifying tablets. With cases of cholera, malaria and diarrhea being reported, the IOM is also distributing educational material about these diseases. They are coordinating their efforts with local authorities and community leaders.

It has been determined so far that hundreds of families in the northern Zambezi Valley district of Muzarabani are in need of urgent assistance. Areas around the eastern town of Chipinge near the border with Mozambique have also been devastated. In Matebeleland Province, incessant rains have affected crops in the flood-prone areas of Sipepa and Tsholotsho. The Dakate and Save Rivers experienced very high water levels, causing general devastation.

Jean Phillipe Chauzy from IOM told Newsreel that the capital Harare has not been spared either. The Combined Harare Residents Association also reported that the floods have damaged the homes of many households in some suburbs. The high-density area of Epworth is reported to have been hit the worst. Chauzy said the sanitation systems in the suburb of Caledonia had been badly damaged, increasing health risks, particularly to water borne diseases. IOM has distributed water purifying tablets there.
Assessments are still to be done in the many areas that have been difficult to get to. Chauzy explained that it is important for the rural populations that are affected to be able to stay in their respective areas if possible. The IOM will be providing agricultural tools and seeds so they can continue to farm and produce food.

Further assessments are planned in remote areas of Gutu in Masvingo, Chiredzi and Mwenezi.