Bulawayo residents have reacted positively to appeals for donations for victims of Cyclone Idai in Manicaland which has so far claimed 82 lives.
Chimanimani and Chipinge districts south-east of Mutare were the hardest hit with houses and roads and other infrastructure destroyed while some people have been marooned.
Addressing the media in Mutare, Local government minister July Moyo confirmed that the death toll is expected to continue rising as many people have been reported missing.
“The death from what we have been advised now has risen from 31 to more than 65. Some bodies have been retrieved floating in rivers and a lot of people have been reported missing.
“While we hope that some people who have been trapped are alive, it is also likely that some might have unfortunately lost their lives,” said Moyo.
In response to the humanitarian crisis, residents in Bulawayo have started donating to the victims of the natural disaster.
Some of the donated goods include clothes, blankets, mealie-meal, dried foods and drinks among other items.
CITE director Zenzele Ndebele who is coordinating the donations expressed gratitude to those who have donated and urged more people to offer a helping hand.
“Those in Bulawayo can drop off their donations at Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE) at 45 Moffatt Avenue in Hillside or contact Zenzele Ndebele on 0773 103 262.”
Cyclone Idai has also left a trail of destruction in neighbouring Mozambique and Malawi.
