The torrential rains that continue to pound Zimbabwe have left 7 people reported dead and over 8300 people displaced across the country. Plan is responding to provide emergency aid.

The flooding, which has also badly affected Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique, is set to continue as more heavy rain is forecast.

In the Chipinge and Chiredzi Program Units some programs had to be temporarily suspended due to incessant rains and impassable roads, however no casualties have been reported. Plan Zimbabwe staff are monitoring and assessing the impact of the floods.

Both Plan-supported communities and those outside Plan areas have been affected by the deluge.

In the Chipinge area, which has been hardest hit by the flooding, Plan staff report that many families have been displaced and houses and fields have been destroyed. Dozens of latrines have collapsed and boreholes and wells providing drinking water have been contaminated.

Several schools have reported damage. Fourteen classrooms and a school garden in Chisuma were destroyed and Nyamukwakwa Primary School has lost books and equipment.

Some families that have been displaced are staying at local schools, although they may need to move again when schools reopen after the holidays. Others have moved in with relatives whose houses are on the high grounds.

The communities’ urgent needs are temporary shelter, water storage tanks, mosquito nets, food, blankets, drugs and building materials and seeds.

Plan is already implementing a WFP food aid program in these areas, however the general concern in the country is that there is little hope of salvaging a meaningful harvest from the current crops. Many maize fields are showing signs of strain or have been swept away. This may necessitate continuation of the food aid program beyond May 2008.

Information for sponsors

At this stage, we have not yet been advised whether any sponsored children or their families have been impacted. Sponsors will be notified individually if we receive communication from the field that their sponsored child has been affected.

Plan Australia has not set up a fundraising appeal to support Plan Kenya’s response to the emergency, as it is expected that sufficient funds will be raised from other sources.

If you have any particular concerns around this issue, please send a message to our Supporter Service team or call 13 PLAN.