By Rudo Saungweme

The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has stated that its ministry is deploying all the necessary available human and material resources to enable an effective health response to the crisis and alleviation of suffering by all affected individuals following the Cyclone Idai disaster.

Issuing its condolence message to families of the late victims of Cyclone Idai, Mininster of Health, Dr Obadiah Moyo said, “As our country is undergoing this serious crisis, the Ministry of Health and Child Care is deploying all the necessary available human and material resources to enable an effective health response to the crisis and alleviation of suffering by all affected individuals, families and communities.”

The MoHCC also expressed gratitude towards all those who rallied behind its ministry in support of the health sector response.

“We thank all individuals, corperates and partners, who have rallied behind us in support of the health sector response.

“We also wish to express our sincere appreciation to all health workers and volunteers who are on the ground, making tireless efforts in the disaster stricken areas to save lives,” he said.

Meanwhile, South Africa has sent sniffer dogs and helicopters in an effort to help retrieve more than 300 people who are reported to have been buried alive under mudslides.

The official death toll from Cyclone Idai has hit 259 in Zimbabwe. Three thousand and eighty five people were displaced in Chimanimani`s ward 15, while 600, 529, 63, 45 and 31 were displaced in Makoni, Buhera, Mutare rural, Mutasa and Mutare urban respectively.