Tanzania donates maize to Malawi flood victims

Tanzanian on Wednesday donated 1,200 metric tons of maize and 66 tons of medicine to the government of Malawi to assist thousands of people who were affected by floods in the country.

Speaking to Nyasa Times after presenting the donation at Songwe boarder in Karonga the northern part of Malawi, the Tanzanian High commissioner Patrick Sele said the donation follows the disaster which affected 15 of the country’s 28 districts, prompting President Peter Mutharika to declare a State of Disaster.

‘‘Malawi being our neighbouring country, our President Jakaya Kikwete was deeply concerned with the situation that people in Malawi found themselves in, as such he decided to donate these relief items to those flood victims to bail out the problems that the victims are encountering,” said Sele.

He said the donation includes 1,200 metric tons of maize, as well as 66 tons of medicines .

Tanzanian Ambassador to Malawi Patrick hailed the existing cordial relationship between the two countries.

Secretary and Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs Paul Chiunguzeni commended the Tanzania for the assistance saying it is on the right time as floods victims in the country continues to face hunger problems.

“Malawi is grateful for Tanzania’s contribution as we are trying to relieve the plight of the survivors some of whom are still in camps,” he said.

According to Chiunguzeni, Malawian soldiers will take over the assistance from Songwe boarder to Lilongwe ware house hauled in military trucks.

He said the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) presence at the border post was a matter of courtesy to their Tanzanian military counterparts.