Oxfam, Plan support storm survivors

 Oxfam in Malawi and Plan International are set to disburse cash and hygiene kits to 2 675 people affected by Tropical Storm Ana in Phalombe, Chikwawa and Nsanje districts.

Under the K76 million humanitarian initiative, each affected household will get a once-off K25 000 and family hygiene kit comprising a bucket and soap, courtesy of the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid.

In an interview, Oxfam in Malawi disaster risk reduction and resilience programme officer Tapiwa Jamu said they have already reached out to 1 317 households in Phalombe and Chikwawa with cash and hygiene kits.

“The money will help the affected families to buy food and meet urgent needs as they are trying to rebuild their lives,” she said.

Jamu said the response was in line with a rapid assessment they conducted in collaboration with the Department of Disaster and Management Affairs in the districts.

A beneficiary, Falesi London from Nsanje, said her house collapsed during the disaster.

She said: “The money has come at the right time when my nine children had nothing to eat.

“I will use the money to buy maize and some kitchen utensils because I lost everything,” she said.