Malawi VP Chilima visits flood-hit Mzuzu, leads relief response

Vice President Saulos Chilima on Tuesday spent time with Mzuzu people affected by unprecedented flooding, walking with them in mud, standing  with them in the rains and jumping swamps together during the intensive tour of the affected areas.

The Mzuzu floods are as a result of the 10 day persistent rains in the northern region city leading to six deaths, injuring 10, destroying over 1000 houses and affecting about 17,000 families.

Ironically, during the tour, it was the Vice President who insisted to visit all the heavily affected areas before he launched government relief items response to the disaster.

As Minister for Disaster and Management Affairs, the veep accompamied by government officials and communities, went as deep as Kauwa where the floods were catastrophic killing six peole and destroying several houses.

Chilima met all the bereaved families, condoling and giving them words of encouragement as they sailed through the trying times.

Speaking at Masasa where scores of people are being housed in a church, the Vice President said he was sent by President Mutharika to appreciate the situation and cordinate the response operation.

The VP said he had come along with relief items from government that included maize flour, tinned beef, soap, salt, sugar and blankets and made a symbolic donation at two camps.

He then appealed to the people to relocate to upland to avoid such disasters in future, saying such catastrophes affect the national budget and there was need to opt for preventive measures.

“It is not a good thing that every year we should be facing similar calamities that can be avoided if we all decide to move to upland areas. As government, we will do our part and as citizens you should also do your part,”said the Vice President

A representative of the victims, thanked government for the quick response since the disaster struck and appealed to more well wishers to join government efforts.

Mayor for Mzuzu, MP for the city and councillors thanked government for the swift response, saying this demonstrates the unity that this country enjoys.

The VP was scheduled to proceed to Rumphi and Karonga from using a rescue operation helcopter but the plan was shelved due to bad weather.

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