Fuel crisis impacts on Civil Protection Unit's work

Zimbabwe's fuel shortage has rendered the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) in Manicaland ill-prepared to deal with heavy rains and floods anticipated in the eastern highlands, the 'Daily News' reported on Monday.

However, CPU deputy director Sibusisiwe Ndlovu told IRIN that the shortage would not "incapacitate" the organisation's ability to provide relief to those in need. She said on Monday that light rains were expected in the region and that the CPU did not anticipate having to deal with "many more" people. She said the CPU was one of many government bodies affected by the fuel shortage.

The 'Daily News' report quoted Assistant Commissioner Bernard Mangena, who represents the police force on the CPU in Manicaland, as saying: "The protection unit seems unprepared to deal with floods. We should, therefore, make an effort to notify the people in the areas most likely to be affected of impending dangers." He also appealed to the CPU directorate in Harare to urgently provide fuel reserves to the disaster relief unit.