Dodma yet to close10 camps in Mulanje cyclone
Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) commissioner Charles Kalemba says it will continue managing the remaining 10 camps in Mulanje District until preparations for their next destinations are done.
He said this on Wednesday when Dodma received relief items such as maize flour, beans, blankets, buckets, sugar and salt from the Chinese Embassy.
“In terms of decommissioning camps and relocation, as you know, Mulanje was one of the worst affected districts. For instance, Traditional Authority (T/A) Njema is still not accessible. But we have engaged the Malawi Defense Force [MDF] to work on the road from Phalombe to the area,” said kalemba.
“Mulanje had 125 camps but now 10 are remaining and we will still manage them until they go back home or to a new place.”
Chinese Deputy Ambassador Wang Hao said China was committed to supporting people affected by the cyclone.
He said: “We decided to donate relief items to help people affected by the cyclone.
“Let me assure the survivors that the Chinese Government will continue providing donations in form of relief items and cash. We will also remain active in contributing towards recovery initiatives.”
Mulanje District Council chairperson Thokozani Namoyo said they will discuss the way forward regarding the people remaining in the 10 camps.
A beneficiary Fanny Julius said life was tough and called for more support.
“Mostly, we need food to survive. However, we thank the Chinese Embassy for the support,” she said.
Dodma has so far decommissioned more than 400 camps out of 747 established immediately after the cyclone in March this year
