Cedep, CHRR support Blantyre, Mulanje cyclone survivors

Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) and Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) on Saturday donated various items to people that were affected by Cyclone Freddy at Samaritan in Blantyre and  Nyengeni Primary School in Traditional Authority Chikumbu in Mulanje.

The items included maize flour, blankets, salt, sugar, plastic shoes, buckets and sanitary pads worth K7 million.

Speaking after making donations in the two districts, Cedep executive director Gift Trapence said as human rights organisations, they were touched by the fate of the people.

“When we talk about human rights, we include right to food and shelter. Our brothers and sisters here do not have those rights. This is why we thought about coming to assist,” he said.
Trapence said he was particularly sad that learners were unable to go to school because classes accommodated cyclone survivors. He said this was frustrating their right to education.

CHRR board member Auda Msiska appealed to authorities to ensure that the donated items are used for their intended purpose.
She said reports of relief items being stolen are worrisome.

Samaritan Camp manager Fraser Kapito assured the two organisations that no item would be taken away.
“We record all items used per day and the data is sent to relevant authorities. Everything is done in a transparent manner,” he said.

Mulanje District Council   economist Oziell Chipokosa said 690 people were displaced mainly from Likala and Waluma villages.
He appealed for more assistance, saying the people did not receive anything apart from what they got from their member of Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa.