Mutare Residents Seek to Raise U.S $250k for Flood Victims

TOUCHED by the plight of the Tokwe-Mukosi flooding victims, a group of Mutare residents will next month embark on a sponsored walk through three of the country's surrounding provinces hoping to raise $250 000 for the troubled villagers.

The residents will do the walk under the leadership of their local civic group, Combined Mutare and Residents and Ratepayers Trust (CMRRT) on May 21.

CMRRT programmes manager, David Mukunda, told New Zimbabwe.com weekend the walk will start from their Mutare base to Masvingo, proceeding through Harare and ending in Mashonaland East province.

"We intend to raise $250 000 to buy blankets, food, medicals, just to mention a few, to assist the victims," said Mukunda, adding that it was their responsibility as civil organisations to help needy fellow citizens.

"It's our duty to see that rights of citizens are protected in this time of need. Access to shelter, water, food and medical is a basic human right for all," said Mukunda.

He said they have since met Manicaland provincial administrator, Fungai Mbetsa and Mutare District Administrator, Cosmas Chiringa to discuss how they intend to raise the donations.

He encouraged other civil organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations and churches to come forward with donations to assist the victims.

Mukunda further said the sponsored walk has been sanctioned by police under the Public Order Security Act.

Over 3,000 families that had been staying in the flood prone Tokwe-Mukosi area were left homeless early February when incessant rains in Masvingo province caused the flooding of the man-made dam whose wall partially collapsed under increased pressure.

The resultant flooding saw homes, crops and property washed away and causing a huge disaster that saw government move to relocate the villagers to Chingwizi holding camp where they await being allocated plots to build new homes.

But their stay at the transit camp has not been rosy as they have experienced overcrowding and hunger and have survived through the benevolence of government agencies and humanitarian organisations.