APM cheers cyclone survivors in Mangochi

Former president Peter Mutharika has encouraged Tropic Cyclone Freddy survivors not to lose hope, but believe in God that their situation will get better.

He expressed the sentiments on Saturday  when he visited survivors at Samama and Mponda evacuation camps in Mangochi District.

During the visit, Mutharika donated bags of maize flour, beans and money to the survivors.

The Democratic Progress Party (DPP) leader bemoaned the plight of the survivors.

“I am not here for politics, but I have come to tell you that I am deeply concerned about your condition following the tragedy of Cyclone Freddy. Please, do not to despair, but have faith in God,” said Mutharika, who now resides in mangochi.

He asked government to ensure that it reaches all people affected by the disaster.

Mutharika took advantage of the event to request Tonse Alliance administration to resuscitate the Malata and Cement Subsidy Programme his government introduced to ensure that people build resilient houses that can withstand disasters.

He said: “I have observed that most of the structures that have been damaged are those that were constructed by cheap materials. It’s now time to move away from cheap structures and construct resilient houses.

“This is the reason we introduced the programme to address the disaster, but it was scrapped by Tonse Alliance administration.”

Mangochi Central legislator Victoria Kingstone (DPP) said her constituency was one of the most affected areas by the disaster.

“We have over 10 000 families in my area who were affected by the cyclone,” she said.

Group village head Malunda thanked Mutharika for visiting his subjects.