Bikita Minerals rescues Cyclone Idai victims
The country’s sole lithium miner, Bikita Minerals, has come to the rescue of over 300 families who were left homeless in the wake of Cyclone Idai by donating 120 tonnes of cement for rebuilding their homes.
Bikita was the hardest hit by the tropical cyclone in Masvingo which also left a trail of destruction in Zaka, Gutu and Masvingo districts affecting a combined more than 6 000 households.
At least 309 families were left homeless in Bikita following the rampaging cyclone that also battered schools, roads and bridges.
The families were temporarily staying in tents while pooling resources to rebuild their homes.
“We are expecting the cement anytime from now and we are very grateful to Bikita Minerals because the cement will be handy for over 300 families currently staying in tents after they homes were destroyed by Cyclone Idai,” he said.
Mr Hadzirabwi said the cement will only benefit families affected by the cyclone as Government and donors were working on a separate budget for damage to institutions such as schools and clinics in the district.
“Our plan was to make sure part of the donated cement is used to mould bricks to build stronger structures while some of the cement will be used in the actual construction process, the district Civil Protection Committee will distribute the cement and bricks depending with the severity of the situation,” said Mr Hadzirabwi.
“The situation on the ground has improved vastly. Our affected people have food and other items that were donated and we expect them to start rebuilding their homes once they have mobilised all the required materials and currently those without homes continue to stay in tents.”
Turning to families under threat from precariously balancing rocks at Mapadza Mountain in Budzi in the district where a rock weighing between 10 and 15 tonnes fell from the summit, Mr Hadzirabwi said the families might relocate at their own volition.
He said the local Civil Protection Committee could only recommend to the families on the dangers of continuing to stay close to a hill with dangerously balanced rocks.
Heavy rains accompanying the cyclone precipitated rock falls and mudslideswhich threatened homes and schools in Bikita.
Chikuku Primary School in the district also experienced a scare during the cyclone disaster after heavy rains dislodged huge boulders from a hill sparking calls for the school to be relocated for the good of its hundreds of pupils.