Flood survivors in four evacuation camps in Nkhotakota are facing a worsening food crisis, with one of the camps holding 440 people sharing 50 bags of maize that the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) bought from locals and distributed to them.
The 50 bags of maize were distributed to suvivors Kabiza camp, which was one of the 14 camps set up on December 28 2025 following their displacement by the floods.
According to Nkhotakota District Commissioner Ben Tonho, 10 of the camps have since been decommissioned.
Survivors interviewed during a recent tour of the camps organised by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) said erratic food distribution has left families uncertain about their next meal and increasingly vulnerable.
Chairperson of Kabiza evacuation camp in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kanyenda, Herbert Chisambo, said food shortages remain the camp’s most urgent challenge.
The camp, which houses about 440 people, has so far only received food assistance once.
“We are struggling to access food, clean water, cooking utensils and beddings. At the moment, we do not know what we will eat next. This situation needs urgent intervention,” said Chisambo.
At Nkhunga camp, survivor Chimwemwe Julius said his family of six is also struggling to cope amid limited food supplies.
“Food was delivered once, but we do not know when the next distribution will come. There are many people here, so sharing the little food available is difficult. What I am eating now, I bought with my own money,” said Julius.
Tonho acknowledged the crisis, saying many survivors across the district’s evacuation camps are failing to access basic necessities.
He said that although some camps have been decommissioned, urgent support is still needed in the four camps that remain operational.
“Life in a camp is very difficult. People need food, medical attention and other basic necessities. The situation remains dire,” said Tohno.
Dodma director of response Charles Matabwa said the department, working with partners, is responding to the situation.
He said organisations, including Feed the Children, have provided assorted relief items aimed at improving sanitation and nutrition in the camps.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation Charles Chilambula said government has deployed health workers to provide essential medical services to prevent disease outbreaks.
He urged camp residents to observe proper hygiene and sanitation practices, warning that poor conditions could trigger a cholera outbreak.
Since the start of the rainy season, disasters linked to stormy rains, strong winds, flash floods and lightning have killed 36 people nationwide and affected 29 district councils.
The disasters have impacted about 35 758 households—approximately 160 011 people—leaving 168 injured and two missing.
Nkhotakota remains the hardest-hit district, with 10 772 households affected, 11 deaths recorded, 37 people injured and two still missing.
