Govt dismantles Lilongwe flood victims camp
Government has dismantled a floods victims camp at Mtandire in Lilongwe, forcing over 50 people who sought refugee in a CCAP church seek shelter elsewhere. Department of Disaster Management (Dodma) deputy commissioner Daisi Nkhoma confirmed the government Has officially closed the camp on Saturday.
“We are in town, in the heart of the city so the camp is on private land. We cannot dig pit latrines or erect bathrooms on a private land therefore to avert communicable diseases, we have to close down this camp,” he said.
He said the waters that forced the people to seek refugee at the church are now gone and the situation is back to normal.
Nkhoma said all the affected families have received a bag of maize, salt, beans and utensils. In addition, they have been given K15000 for rent.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the department Jeremiah Mphande has expressed concern that some well wishers are not going through the department and the Lilongwe City Council when donating relief food items.
“This is wrong. It is only the department and the council who have up to date data on beneficiaries. By passing the council and the department can cause confusion and chaos because some people who were not affected can get the items,” said Mphande.
Malawi Congress Party deputy secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka, whose party donated to the victims last week without going through the department and the council said they did not involve the government officials to avoid corruption.
He said there are rampant reports of corruption in the distribution of relief items in Mtandire.
Mphaande rejected the accusations.
Mbava sizinauwoneso mtaji Ku Lilongwe.ma floods amene wa a boma aluza nawonso.mupempherele chaka chino ma floods achitike kumudzi kwanu mukauona mtaji,apo biiiiiii ng’ooo
When wellwishers and donors see so much corruption, they will want to donate directly to the needy. They may make mistakes, but better that than the already wealthy in government offices filling their pockets again! The government needs to restore trust in its offices, because there is none now.