By Caitlin Golub | Account Manager
Responding quickly to disasters is key to the IRC's mission, and the impact of our programs depends on this timeliness as well as quality of delivery. In Zimbabwe, this was recently demonstrated in the rapid response to Cyclone Idai, which hit Zimbabwe on the evening of March 15.
The cyclone has caused massive flooding and landslides, forcing many Zimbabweans to flee their homes and seek higher ground to survive. Some areas have been cut off due to roads and bridges being swept away, and many who need help are unreachable by rescue and evacuation teams. Most of Chimanimani district is only accessible by helicopter, but poor weather conditions have hindered access since the start of the week. The IRC deployed medical staff and supplies to Skyline in Chimanimani, where a mobile clinic has been set up to support those displaced by the disaster. The IRC is also supporting those displaced with food and kits for women.
“Our teams have been on the ground since Monday supporting the response in Chipinge, and are on standby with emergency supplies to immediately deliver assistance to the most affected district Chimanimani as soon as access is restored. While immediate life saving support is the most pressing need, the impact of this cyclone will continue to be severe in the coming weeks and months. We are expecting the situation to worsen and to see a surge in malaria and other water borne diseases," said Paolo Cernuschi , Zimbabwe Country Director.
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