‘More lives could have been saved’,
War Victims Association
By Daniel Chigunwe/ZLWVA Media
Personnel
The
Zimbabwe Liberation War Victims Association (ZLWVA) has joined the nation in
mourning Cyclone Idai victims however calling for responsible government
authorities to work on disaster preparedness and avoid acting when precious
irreplaceable lives have already been taken as the case in Manicaland Province.
About
300 people in Chimanimani and Chipinge are reported to be dead with thousands
of multitudes left homeless and property damaged following the devastating
effects of Cyclone Idai which hit the country over the weekend.
In
a comment on the sidelines of the disaster, ZLWVA Spokesperson Collins Kasiya
said it is sad that as a country we have been met with such a fateful scene
however also lampooned failure by authorities to heed warning messages from the
meteorological services department which could have made a difference had the
rescuing done before cyclone.
“As
an association which advocates for the welfare of war victims association we
are also saddened by the huge lives that have been claimed by the cyclone,
properties have been damaged, future lives endangered and the chaotic disaster
invokes pathos.
“We
are sympathizing with those who have survived but have their property, houses
and belongings destroyed, we also send our deepest condolences over the loss of
lives to the bereaved families. The government has so far made commendable
efforts by deploying the army and rescue teams to save more live whilst donations
and relief food is streaming from everywhere.
“However,
as a country we could also have abated the effects of the cyclone had all
departments worked properly and conscientiously on time. There was clear warning
of the impending danger from the disaster, with the meteorology department even
highlighting when the cyclone was entering the country which was a clear signal
of danger which should have been heeded.
“
Yes we sent the choppers in response to the effects of the disaster but that
could have been done before the disaster as the country was forewarned already,
there is need to equip ourselves as a country to have disaster preparedness
measures so that we will not have to cry over spilt milk” ,said Kasiya.
Cyclone
Idai, a devastating tropical storm which left village marooned has been
declared one of the worst weather related humanitarian crisis after claiming
lives in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.
