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Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) in the Midlands province has started relocating people living in low-lying areas that were affected by floods when tropical Cyclone Dineo ravaged some parts of Zimbabwe last year.

In an interview with The Herald, Gokwe Rural District Council Assistant District Administrator, Mr Steward Gwatirinda said they have identified land to resettle affected villagers. He said so far 42 families who were identified to be in extreme danger in Sayi and Chisina areas have been relocated to higher ground.

“Following a validation exercise, the district Civil Protection Unit identified 42 families that are extremely vulnerable in the low lying areas of Chisina and Sayi and the relocation exercise has started,” he said.

Mr Gwatirinda said the CPU was working with the department of public works in the construction of houses for the affected families.

“We are working with the department of public works who are building three-roomed houses and a toilet for each family, while the communities themselves are moulding bricks for their houses,” said Mr Gwatirinda.

He added that a non-governmental organisation, Save the Children was also conducting awareness campaigns on disaster management in Gokwe South.

“On the other hand, villagers are being educated on what measures to take in case of disasters. Save the Children organisation is engaging schoolchildren, traditional leaders, women and the youth. This is aimed at minimising potential death and property loss in the event of flooding,” he said.

Meanwhile, Midlands Provincial Administrator Mr Abiot Marongwe said more villagers in low-lying areas across the province will be relocated.

Villagers in most of the areas that were affected by Cyclone Dineo in Mberengwa and Gokwe North will be relocated under Government’s National Recovery Programme.