It never rains but pours for cash-strapped Zimbabwe
Cyclone Idai could not have come at a worse time for the country’s crippled economy, with the cost of damages to fuel supply, infrastructure and exports already in the millions
Zimbabwe is counting the losses from the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai, amid indications that the economic and financial loss from the disaster will run into tens of millions of dollars. Idai, which also ravaged Mozambique and Malawi, has officially become the worst cyclone disaster ever to hit southern Africa, with about 150 confirmed dead so far and up to 300 others missing in Zimbabwe alone. In Mozambique and Malawi, the death toll stands at around 250 and 60 respectively. The disaster could not have come at a worse time for Zimbabwe’s crippled economy as the country is experiencing its worst economic performance in a decade. Lack of adequate resources has meant that rescue efforts have been limited, leading to deaths that could have been avoided. Businesses have also lost big, as the hardest-hit areas of Chimanimani and Chipinge have plantations of tea, coffee, macadamia nuts, sugarcane and other products. Tanganda Tea, which exports tea and coffee, said it was still count...
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