Catholic diocese supports Karonga flood survivors
Karonga Diocese of the Catholic Church has cautioned flood survivors in the district against selling food and non-food items they receive as part of humanitarian aid.
The diocese’s vicar general monsignor Laurent Dziko issued the warning on Monday at Kafikisira in Traditional Authority Kyungu during the distribution of food items to 100 households whose property was damaged by floods from North Rukuru River in February this year.
He said: “The diocese was deeply concerned with the tragedy that affected people’s economic well-being. So, bishop Martin Mtumbuka sourced funds from Trocaire through the Episcopal Conference of Malawi [ECM] to buy food for the affected households.
“Therefore, it will be an insult, not only to the diocese, but also ECM
as well as Trocaire if beneficiaries decide to sell the donated food items.”
The diocese’s development desk officer Franklin Msiska urged the community leaders not to politicise relief items and humanitarian aid.
“At a time like this, survivors lack basic needs; hence, the swift intervention with maize flour, beans, cooking oil, soap, buckets, waterguard as well as mosquito repellent to 100 household to cushion them,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Annie Mwalilino, thanked the diocese for the donation.
“The floods destroyed my food items. The donation will support my family,” she said.
Karonga District Council’s report shows that the floods damaged 38 houses completely and partly affected 109 houses.
The diocese through ECM sourced K14 million from Trocaire for the initiative
