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Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Reporter
GOVERNMENT has availed $420 000 for the relocation and construction of new houses for 71 families in Midlands province that were severely affected by Cyclone Dineo induced floods early this year. The funds were disbursed through the National Recovery Programme (NRP). Midlands Provincial Administrator Mr Abiot Maronge told The Herald in an interview that of the $420 000, $20 000 had already been used in the construction of ablution facilities for the families. He said the remaining $400 000 would go towards the construction of three-roomed houses for each family.

“Government has availed $420 000 for the relocation of the 71 families who were affected by Cyclone Dineo in the Midlands province,” said Mr Maronge. “The relocation of the families has started and we have so far disbursed $20 000 for the construction of toilets for families.

“The other money will be used to construct for them a three roomed house each.” The families, said Mr Maronge, were drawn from the worst affected districts, which are Mberengwa, Gokwe North and Gokwe South. Mr Maronge said they were compelled by disaster management regulations to offer durable structures to the relocated citizens.

“We are grateful to some partners like Oxfam who have been assisting other households that were partially affected by the floods in Mberengwa,” he said. Mr Maronge said the civil protection unit embarked on community-based risk training programmes in disaster prone areas such as Mberengwa, Gokwe North and Gokwe South.

“We are now approaching the rain season and we have seen it fit to engage communities in low-lying areas to prepare for the potential disasters to avoid loss of life and property. We want to reduce disaster incidences because some of them are avoidable. The training programmes, which are being conducted by the district CPU committees, are roping in traditional leaders, school heads, gold panners, schoolchildren and village and ward leadership,” he said.