Magla gives flood victims K200m
Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (Magla) has given Mangochi Municipal Council 5 000 bags of maize flour worth K200 million to ease the plight of people affected by floods in the area.
Magla’s gesture was in reaction to an appeal by the affected people in the district after rising water levels in Lake Malawi and its sole outlet Shire River destroyed their homes and displaced them.
Speaking after presenting the donation, Magladirector general Rachel Mijiga said their aim is to relieve the victims’ suffering following the natural disaster.
She said: “We received reports that rising water levels in Lake Malawi have affected many people and that flash floods worsened the situation as they damaged crops and properties.
“So, we came in today with maize flour so that we can assist the most affected people around MangochiBoma all the way to Cape Maclear to mitigate their suffering.”
Mijiga said they expect the donation to alleviate the suffering of the victims.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Traditional Authority Mapira thanked Magla for the timely donation, saying the relief food will cushion the suffering of the people.
“I thank the authorities for the maize flour. My subjects are going through a difficult time. They lost everything to the floods and rising lake waters. They need help,” he said.
In his remarks, Mangochi Municipal Council representative Kenneth Chimombo said the maize flour will ease the council’s burden in taking care of the victims, some of whom are seeking shelter in public facilities.
About 3 090 people from 525 households along the lakeshore have been displaced by the flooding caused by the swelling lake.
