The United Nations Development Programme in Zimbabwe (UNDP Zimbabwe) has announced today, half a million dollars to aid in the early recovery of Cyclone Idai affected areas in the Manicaland Province of Zimbabwe. 

Tropical Cyclone Idai on 15 and 16 March caused destruction in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi. In Zimbabwe, the floods, burst rivers and mudslides resulted in the loss of lives and livelihoods, severely damaged road networks, water points, bridges, irrigation schemes and electricity infrastructure.

Announcing the US$500,000 grant, UNDP Zimbabwe Resident Representative (ad interim), Georges van Montfort said, “This support allows us to work hand-in-hand with the affected communities to rebuild their lives and restore community infrastructure, with particular focus on making it climate proof to help avoid future disasters.”

UNDP will also support with specialist expertise in early recovery, drawing from its global pool of specialists who have experience dealing with disasters of a similar magnitude.

The funds were availed through UNDP’s funding window, which, among other objectives, enables coordinated, flexible, and rapid responses to development needs and emergencies. UNDP appreciates the countries that contributed to this facility, most notably Germany, Luxemburg, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Slovak Republic, Sweden and Switzerland.

In collaboration with Government and partners on the ground, UNDP Zimbabwe will work with affected communities to re-establish lives and livelihoods on a cash-for-work basis. Beyond development partners, UNDP is in discussion with volunteer organizations and the private sector to augment the support and mobilize additional resources including technical and raw material input into reconstruction, emergency livelihoods and re-establishment of markets.

The early recovery interventions will be implemented in the eight affected districts, targeting the most vulnerable of the 50,000 households affected in Chimanimani and Chipinge. 

Early Recovery is an approach that provides time critical interventions which lay the foundation for sustainable recovery and a speedy return to longer term development.