MCP urges Malawi govt to declare ‘state of emergency’ over floods
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has urged government to declare “ a state of emergency” following heavy flooding in the southern African country which has killed 48 people and left another 23 000 displaced.
Addressing a news conference in the capital Lilongwe on Wednesday, MCP president Dr Lazarus Chakwera said this will enable government to get funds from other allocations to assist in the floods disaster.
“It will also enable some people and well wishers to come in and fully assist the affected people and that government will be able to move them out of their areas to safer places,” Chakwera said.
He then appealed for all Malawians to “stand together” regardless of their political affiliations to help the affected people.
“It’s very unfortunate that some people have lost their lives, yes property can be restored but when one person lose a life, it becomes a sorry state.
“Lets all stand together, handle the situation as a family so that these should pass and everything becomes normal for everyone,” he said.
President Peter Mutharika has since appealed to the international community for assistance for the impoverished country.
“The floods have affected Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe, Zomba, Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Thyolo, Mulanje, Balaka, Machinga, Mangochi, Ntcheu, Salima, Rumphi and Karonga. So far, it is estimated that 13, 999 households have been displaced by the floods and 48 people have lost their lives,” Mutharika told reporters on Tuesday.
He declared the affected areas as “disaster zone.”
He added that the floods have also damaged a lot of hectares of crops, washed away livestock and damaged infrastructure such as roads and bridges.
Officials were unable to visit the affected areas due to continuing poor weather.
Mutharika said tents and food are urgently required, adding: “Rescue operations are also a priority. Donations in cash or any kind should be sent to the Secretary and Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Private Bag 336, Lilongwe 3, Malawi.”
Speaking at the same briefing, Vice President Saulos Chilima said the Department of Disaster Management which is also in his office is currently setting up a call center that will be informing the media and the nation on the latest developments.
“A phone number will be given to the public, anyone seeking information can call and fact based information will be made available. We will also be organizing press conferences on daily basis to keep the media updated,” said Chilima.
Chilima further appealed to the public not to take advantage of the situation saying, donations should go directly to people that have been affected by the floods.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Mukati MCP ndiye kuti chiyani? Zachamba eti.
We have to do something to solve the matter fast
we have to do something our salf dont wauting for donetion plz
mcp yathandiza chani pazimenezi, boma lathandiza 500 million, nanga pp udf athandizako chani. abusa
Is Chakwera a man of God? if he z y did he quit de wok of God and tak de need of being de president of dis country? Its so pathetic 2 c smebdy quitng de wok of God bcz zinazi mzapansi pompano izi. And by de way, u ppo do u rely knw Chakwera?
Chakwera is aleader of opposition. All humans r sinners, nobody is perfect.
When a crisis occurs in a country, most political affiliates want to rise above the scene. I wonder where this compassionate man was when his salary was being raised excessively to deny it on the basis of the poor Malawians (most of whom are affected by the floods. Fact is, he is just another politician. The best thing would be to patiently bear and support the leader of this country without any hidden political agenda.
So many countries have ever declared a state of emergency because of natural disasters.
Chakwera being a man of God, minds the affairs of ppl, because the heart of God is always to the ppl. While these other leaders their hearts are on money, how they can get rich at the cost of poor Malawians.
Wazeru amaoneka zinthu zikavuta
He is the Leader of Opposition. His staement tells me this man knows his job description. The man has travelled and knows how politics in the first World is done. Its only that the majority of us here tinazolowela kuti President ndiye azinena zinthu. Chakwera keep building ur cv and scoring points so long u apply wisdom. Kumathamanga zinthu ngati izi zikachitika. Please Ma advisers a pule dont sleep on the job. Ma points kumagawana. Show Chaks kuti nanu u are up for the job. Game on Pyoooooooooooooooiii!!
chakwera amakonda anthu osati mwano pamalanginzo anthu akumvutika kumidzi