US$20 000 donated towards Kariba Ferry victims, Zim pledges US$100 per family

By Staff Reporter

The government has announced US$100 in cash assistance for each person affected by the Kariba ferry disaster to help families meet funeral and other immediate costs.

The announcement was made late on Saturday by Kariba district development coordinator Rodwell Mtetwa, who chairs the Civil Protection Unit for the district, while addressing mourners at Kariba District Hospital during the identification of recovered bodies.

“As government we are trying our best to make sure that no one is left out as we continue with the search. Our search teams are now based at the island and they are making sure that they do a thorough search,” Mtetwa said.

He said the assistance would cover both survivors and families of those who died, with payments to deceased victims’ next of kin.

“Everyone is going to receive it, whether deceased and living. For the deceased, assistance will be collected by the next of kin. Everyone is receiving a hamper to cushion them during this difficult time,” he said.

Mtetwa said the Zambezi River Authority had contributed US$20,000 towards the response, including fuel for rescue teams, with US$100 allocated to each affected person.

“We noted your details and whatever help that will come, you will be contacted and receive it,” he said.

Government has also provided two buses to transport families traveling to Mola, where many of those affected are from, as far as Chalala.