Malawi VP Kachali assures govt will help flood victims
Malawi Vice President Khumbo Kachali says government is taking all necessary measures to support those affected by floods which have swept through parts of Malawi.
Heavy rains and strong winds brought deadly flooding the centre and south of the African nation. Three people have died, and nearly 5,000 households have been ruined.
Speaking when he distributed food and other relief items to 186 farming families who lost their livelihood due to floods that followed torrential rains in Phalombe and Zomba districts washing away food, crops, livestock and dwelling units, Kachali who is also responsible for the Department of Disaster Affairs assured that government has launched a relief effort to provide affected districts with food supplies, blankets and plastic sheeting.
Kachali also appealed for donations of basic items, particularly food and urged nongovernmental organizations, individuals and the donor community to assist the flood victims in the country.
“Let me assure you government through the district commissioner’s office will provide 40kg of maize flour, 2 blankets, 4plates, 4 cups 1 pail, 5kg of beans and 5 kg of salt among other things,” Kachali explained.
The Vice President, therefore, urged the District Councils’ staff to devise ways of handling such disasters, saying some can be addressed locally without the intervention of central government.
Meanwhile, water flooding from Kabudila, Kapiri and Bwanje rivers Sunday morning left over 100 households homeless, destroyed gardens of assorted crops and swept away livestock at Phanga village in Traditional Authority Masasa in Ntcheu.
The flooding water has also divided Masasa-Golomoti-Monkey- Bay road (S127/M10) into three segments, making it totally impassable. Dimba Primary School, Phanga clinic and ADMARC have been flooded with the water.
Ntcheu District Commissioner, Hamisi Twabi described the situation as pathetic as there is no access to the affected area due to the destruction of the road.
“We are appealing to the authorities to assist us with a helicopter so that we can access the area and conduct a proper damage assessment,” said Twabi adding that he has already reported the issue of the damaged road to Malawi Road Authority.
The annual rains which accompany the southern hemisphere’s summer often spell misery for many in a country where homes are often built with mud and grass.—(Additional reporting Joseph Dzuwa and Papiya Mwahara Malawi News Agency)
