Rumphi disaster victims at risk of cholera

Disaster-affected households at Phwezi in Rumphi are at risk of contracting cholera and other diseases as the area is running short of toilets, it has been learnt.

Chinyolo Area Development Committee (ADC) chairperson Harvey Chihana said most toilets were washed away due to floods which caused havoc in the area on Friday night.

The Phwezi area received heavy rains which forced the nearby Lungazi River to burst its banks and about 70 families have been displaced.

The rains also affected Mzokoto, Mlowe and Phoka.

According to a latest assessment, more than 106 families have been affected.

Chihana said the areas are at risk of a cholera outbreak due to the appalling living conditions.

“We are not safe here because very few toilets have survived the floods. Most of them have been washed away. We need help, more especially chlorine, to treat drinking water,” he said.

Chihana said victims also risk facing hunger because they are yet to receive relief items.

However, Rumphi District Council disaster risk management desk officer Alufeyo Mhango said the council has already dispatched the relief items.

“As a council, we have given them start-up relief items, but we expect more items from the Department of Disaster Management [Dodma],” he said.