Nsanje people move to contain floods
People from three traditional authorities (T/As) in Nsanje District have embarked on construction of dykes and drainage along river banks to contain floods in their areas.
The community, with funding from Concern Worldwide under Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance, started constructing dykes in T/As Mbenje and Ngabu and drainage in T/A Malemia.

Speaking during a media tour to inspect the activities, Mbenje Village Development Committee chairperson John Grey said they were constructing a dyke along Lalanje River.
He said: “We applied for a K19 million funding to construct a 31-metres long dyke to protect villages, including Mphamba, Anyalandio and Ndakanamwano but we received K8 million. Nevertheless, we started constructing the dyke.
“We also thank Churches Action in Relief and Development [Card] who gave us K5.4 million under their Loss and Damage project.”
On his part, Malemia Area Development Committee chairperson Arnold Benn said they received K8 million for a drainage project to stop floods in Nthole, Hapalikusala, Yohane and Simenti villages.
He also said they received banana suckers to plant along the banks of Dinde Stream.
However, Mbenje Village Development Committee chairperson Misheck Charlie from T/A Ngabu said the funding helped them construct a dyke along the bank of Magoma River.
He said: “We started the work with Card who supported us with K5.4 million and Concern Worldwide gave us K8 million.
“However, we want K45 million to extend the dyke to Mbwinda Stream.”
Nsanje acting district disaster officer Moses Mumba thanked Concern World Wide for funding the projects.
Concern Worldwide programmes coordinator Tommy Chimpanzi said they wanted to empower people to implement projects to build resilience against climate change.
Concern Worldwide is implementing Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance in Nsanje, Chikwawa and Lilongwe district