The Zimbabwean government has begun providing emergency relief to 6,711 vulnerable households affected by the devastating hailstorm in Masvingo, dispatching 180 tonnes of food aid and deploying teams to support victims and repair damaged infrastructure.

Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Soda Zhemu announced the measures during Tuesday’s post-Cabinet briefing, saying the response includes food assistance, psychosocial support, housing repairs and the restoration of essential services.

“The government has dispatched 90 tonnes of mealie-meal and 90 tonnes of rice, while cooperating partners are providing additional food and non-food items to affected families.

Priority is being given to elderly people, persons with disabilities, child-headed households, children and chronically ill people,” Zhemu said.

Zhemu said 40 social workers had also been deployed to provide psychosocial support to victims, working alongside faith-based organisations.

“On housing, the government is renovating 33 damaged government houses, with work on the remaining 15 expected to be completed within a week.

Authorities are also working to restore electricity at affected health facilities, including Masvingo Provincial Hospital, as part of efforts to return essential services to normal.” Zhemu added.

The recovery programme further includes replacing damaged telecommunications infrastructure, solar installations, computer laboratories and electricity-support systems at schools and other institutions.

Many people were left counting their losses after a severe hailstorm struck Masvingo earlier this month, damaging homes, public infrastructure, schools and health facilities.

Great Zimbabwe University had to reschedule its graduation day after the hailstorm damaged the ceremony venue.

The government has designated the impacted regions as a disaster zone and is coordinating relief and recovery efforts with various stakeholders to support communities and restore damaged infrastructure.