Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday met the business community and other stakeholders at State House, appealing to them for assistance in the reconstruction of infrastructure destroyed by Cyclone Idai in March.

Several companies entities said they would adopt some schools and other damaged infrastructure for reconstruction.

The meeting came a day after the government said it required about 612 million U.S. dollars for food, shelter and reconstruction of other critical infrastructure following the cyclone.

The death toll so far stands at 344, amid fears that it will still rise as more bodies may be found.

More than 10 companies and organizations such as the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe and the Premier Soccer League pledged to assist in whichever way they could.

At least 15 million dollars is required for infrastructure while about 50 million dollars will go towards water and sanitation.

There are fears of a possible cholera outbreak in the affected areas after water infrastructure broke down.