Red Cross donates K9m items to flood victims

The Malawi Red Cross Society on Wednesday responded to Malawi President Peter Mutharika’s declaration of State of Disaster in the country by donating goods worth K9 million to flood victims.

Mutharika on Tuesday declared Malawi a State of Disaster following floods that continue to wreak havoc with about 15 districts affected and over 48 lives lost.

While rescue efforts continue, Malawi Red Cross Society said it will focus on survivors of the national tragedy by, among other things, providing them with shelter.

“Major focus of Malawi Red Cross is to provide the displaced families with shelter and blankets as well as household items. As such, we are donating to the Department of Disaster, items like shelter kits—materials people can use to construct temporary shelters—200 blankets, 500 bed nets, jerry cans for carrying water and tents/tarpaulins.

“So far, this donation, which will benefit close to 2 500 families, has already been sent out to Nsanje, which is one of the worst hit districts. We have been doing this in the past couple of weeks where already, we have reached out to 620 families,” said Ethel Kaimila, secretary general of the Malawi Red Cross Society.

Principal secretary in the Department of Disaster Paul Chiunguzeni hailed Red Cross for the timely donation.