EU increases support for flood victims

European Union (EU) has given an additional five million euro (about K2.5 billion) to Malawi, Madagascar and Mozambique to alleviate suffering from floods that occurred in the three countries earlier this year.
The aid comes on top of the three million euro (about K1.5 billion) of emergency aid initially released in February.
EU commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management Christos Stylianides said, in a statement, the floods that hit the three countries were devastating for a region that is already extremely fragile.

He said: “Months later, local populations are still suffering from the consequences and need our help. The aid that we provide today will give much-needed relief to the most vulnerable and help them rebuild their lives.”
According to the statement, the new funding to the three countries will help respond to primary needs such as food security, agriculture recovery, rehabilitation of shelter and vital infrastructure, water and sanitation as well as primary health (epidemics prevention).
In Malawi, President Peter Mutharika declared 15 of the country’s 28 districts a disaster area.
According to reports, the floods washed away houses and displaced over 200 000 people in Malawi. Over 300 people were killed or went missing while nearly 700 got injured in the process.
Malawi, Madagascar and Mozambique—are among the poorest countries in the world. According to the 2014 Human Development Index, they rank 155, 174 and 178 respectively out of 186 countries.