Malawi govt says over 27, 000 households displaced by floods

Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) in the Office of Vice President on Monday disclosed that an estimated 27, 000 households, approximately 135, 000 people have now been displaced since the floods hit their areas in the country.

Principal Secretary responsible for Disaster, Relief and Management Paul Chiunguzeni told members of the media during an update of flood disaster response operations that the most affected districts are Nsanje, Chikwawa and Phalombe.

“Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Nsanje and Chikwawa. A total of 3649 people have been evacuated in Chikwawa,” said Chiunguzeni.

He said one additional helicopter from Republic of South Africa will arrive on Tuesday to enhance the transportation of relief items to hard-to-reach areas.

“The Department of Disaster Management Affairs and other organizations are continuing to distribute food and non food items to the affected. More dispatches are being made now as some of the areas are becoming accessible with relief items and airlifting of relief items to areas in Nsanje and Chikwawa is ongoing,” he explained.

Chiunguzeni also disclosed that a national emergency operation centre has been established at the Department of Disaster Management Affairs in order to enhance information flow and coordination.

He said following the declaration of state of disaster by President Peter Mutharika, a number of organizations are coming forward to donate assistance to the affected population.

Chiunguzeni said Zambian government has donated US$20, 000  (about K10 million), 300 tents and 50 bales of blankets and World Food Program (WFP) has donated food stocks that include maize, beans, vegetable oil and corn soya blend to Chikwawa to reach 2, 000 households.

He said WFP has also airlifted High Energy Biscuits into the country.

“The biscuits are being prioritized for immediate distribution to 77, 000 displaced people in hardest hit areas of Nsanje and Chikwawa,” he said.

He also said that WFP would deploy boats and a helicopter to ensure that deliveries are made to flood affected areas, thereby beefing up the capacity of the Malawi Defence Force.