COLLINGS KALIVUTE
Contributor
Department of Disaster and Management Affairs (Dodma) has supported 74 households with relief items in Kasungu District.
The donation follows the heavy rains that destroyed property and displaced over 400 people on Tuesday in traditional authorities (T/As) Kaluluma, Chidzuma and Sindemba.
Speaking on Saturday during the donation, Kasungu District Council disaster and management officer Shepherd Jere said the department has reached out to affected households with a once-off provision of food and non-food items to lessen their suffering.
“We have donated a 50 kilogramme [kg] bag of rice, two kg of beans, plastic buckets and 20-square metre plastic sheets to each beneficiary,” he said.
Jere also urged residents to follow weather forecast updates to avoid disasters caused by rains.
“The rains have just started and I urge people to follow weather forecast updates to stay alert on disasters that are likely to come,” he said.
While commending Dodma for the prompt response to their challenges, Chimaliro Ward councillor Brave Chirwa has called for additional support for the victims.
He said besides experiencing the disasters, the area has also been hit by hunger; hence, calling for more support from the government as well as well-wishers.
“We commend the government for the timely response to our situation. However, these relief items are one-time allocations. We, therefore, plead with the government to assist us with food,” said Chirwa.
Meanwhile, group village head (GVH) Kabundi under T/A Sindemba and GVH Violet Banda under T/A Kaluluma, said the donation was timely.
Since the onset of the rainy season, disasters such as rainstorms, flash floods and strong winds have affected Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Neno, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje and Thyolo councils
