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Walter Mswazie in MASVINGO

About 60 percent of infrastructure destroyed by Cyclone Idai in Bikita in March this year has been restored through collaboration between the Government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), an official has said.

In Masvingo Province, Bikita was the worst affected of the four districts hit by the cyclone which killed four people and left a trail of destruction.

Other districts affected were Zaka, Gutu, Masvingo and partially, Chiredzi.

Cyclone Idai also ravaged Chimanimani and Chipinge districts in Manicaland Province leaving about 300 people dead, more than 300 missing and over 5 000 families                                                               homeless.

Speaking on the sidelines of a capacity building workshop for Bikita District Civil Protection team at a local hotel last week, Bikita district development coordinator Mr Bernard Hadzirambwi said a lot of ground had been covered in the restoration of damaged infrastructure that included schools, clinics and homes.

“We have restored at least 60 percent of the damaged infrastructure in the whole district, courtesy of Government and NGOs,” he said.

“More than 600 families were left with both completely and partially destroyed homes. At the moment most homes have been reconstructed and no family is sleeping in the open.”

Mr Hadzirambwi said there was still some more work to be done as people’s lives had not been completely restored to their original state with other families still having tents at their home- steads.

“We are happy with the progress that has been made so far in terms of reconstruction of damaged homes, clinics and rehabilitation of roads. However, there is still some work to be done and we still need more assistance,” he said.