Flood survivors in Machinga District have commended Malawi Red Cross Society for cash assistance which has enabled them to rebuild houses destroyed by heavy rains and floods in March this year.
The beneficiaries say the K90 000 they received for three months helped them to move from temporary shelters and begin restoring their lives after the disaster left them without homes.
Linly Harela, aged 48, from Traditional Authority (T/A) Mizinga in the district said her house collapsed during the disaster, leaving her and her seven children homeless.
She said her family was forced to move to Nkotamo Primary School, where they lived with other families whose houses were also destroyed.
“While at the camp, life was hard. There was no dignity as women and children were accommodated in one classroom,” said Harela.
Another beneficiary, Maina John of Mlomba Village in T/A Mlomba, said the floods destroyed part of her house, injured her 13-year-old child and forced her to abandon her mandasi (fritters) business as she used the money for medical treatment.
“We went to Machinga District Hospital, where we were treated as in-patients for two weeks while my remaining six children moved to the school where they were camping,” she said.
According to Machinga District Disaster Risk Management Office, 7 499 households were affected by the floods across the district, with two camps established for people whose homes were destroyed or rendered unsafe.
Machinga District Disaster Risk Management officer Lucy Beyadi said the cash intervention helped affected families to move beyond emergency relief and begin rebuilding their lives.
“At least 1 425 households in five T/As were selected for the cash component, with each household receiving K90 000 for three months to support recovery, particularly reconstruction of homes. They were using the money to mould bricks, buy building materials and construct permanent houses,” she said.
Group village head Kalidoso from T/A Mizinga said the support brought visible changes among families affected by the floods.
Harela and her son pose in front of their new house. | Haneeph Maulana
