Malawi ministers contribute to disaster fund: Floods hit Karonga

Malawi’s cabinet ministers (18) on Tuesday donated 125,000 bags of maize flower each weighing 10 kilograms to flood disaster victims in the 15 affected districts.

Presenting the donation to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs,  Labour Minister Henry Mussa said the 18 Ministers (together with deputies) contributed K100, 000 each, meaning that they raised K1.8 million.

“As ministers we made this gesture to respond to calls by the President to mobilise resources to help our brothers and sisters,” said Mussa who spoke on behalf of his fellow ministers.

Secretary and Commissioner to Disaster Management Affairs Paul Chiunguzeni thanked the ministers for the assistance, saying it will go a long away in making a difference in the lives of the victims.

Malawi is grappling with resources to respond to the floods that have killed 62 people while 153 are still missing.

The floods have affected over 600,000 families with many of them living in camps.

President Peter Mutharika on Tuesday addressed the nation, appealing for more help to contain the situation.

Meanwhile, floods have hit northern borader district of Karonga following relentless rains which led to North Rukuru River swelling beyond its banks last week.

The district on the northern shores of Lake Malawi usually experiences floods in February and March, but tragedy struck on Thursday when the river swelled beyond its banks and sent about 47 households in six villages under Group Village Head Zindi scampering for refuge in nearby church.

District commissioner (DC) Rosemary Moyo said “, 45 households will require urgent assistance in terms of maize, beans and tents.”