President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera through the Presidential Charity Initiative has donated MK120 million and over 600 blankets to Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) to help people who are in dire need of shelter and food after their houses and crops were washed away by Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
The money was realized during the Presidential Golf Tournament fundraiser that was held on October 8, 2022 and raised K280 million Kwacha.
Act of charity: Chakwera handing over the dummy cheque to DoDMA
Making the donation on Monday, 3rd April 2023 at Kamuzu Palace, President Chakwera called on people and organizations to emulate the gesture and continue helping the communities affected by the cyclone.
“What Freddy has done is nothing short of devastation. It will take years to reconstruct what has been damaged,” said the president.
“Any recovery or reconstruction will require that we all work together to move toward a future that is more prepared for the climate shocks we will undoubtedly face going forward.”
Maureen Kachingwe, Head of Legal and Company Secretary for Illovo, one of the companies that participated in the Presidential Golf Tourney said her company will continue to work hand in hand with government and the president to help in emergencies like these as well as in other occurrences that need help.
“We will continue to work with the government and other officials until all the victims of Cyclone Freddy are fully rehabilitated and have moved on with their lives. We give you assurance that we will hold hands with you in this and more endeavours,” said Kachingwe.
Kachingwe also thanked the Malawi leader for ensuring that companies are given a conducive environment in which they work, through which they are able to contribute effectively to the community.
Taking his turn, Vizenge Kumwenda, Presidential Charity Initiative Committee Chairperson also thanked the president for the donation saying what the president has done is an indication of good leadership.
“Your action serves as a reminder that leadership is about serving others,” he said.
Receiving the donation, DODMA Commissioner Charles Kalemba said the funds will go a long way to alleviate the suffering of the affected families.
Meanwhile, DODMA has confirmed that Cyclone Freddy has affected 2.5 million families, and 676 people have died, while 537 people are missing.
Currently, there are more than 750 camps across the Southern Region where more than 143,000 households are being kept after their houses, crops, and businesses were destroyed by floods.
