Plan International Malawi has committed to adopting all 52 evacuation camps hosting those displaced due to the devastating effects of Cyclone Freddy in Traditional Authority Mkanda in Mulanje.
Plan Malawi country director Phoebe Kasoga disclosed this on Monday when she handed over various relief items to displaced people camping at Sapitwa Primary School in the district.
She said: “We are trying to make sure that even if the people are living in an environment like this, we sustain their dignity. We are also reducing the risk of sexual violence and also taking care of special needs for women, girls and children.”
In his remarks, the first deputy speaker of Parliament Madalitso Kazombo who joined the Plan Malawi team in Mulanje, encouraged the affected people to pick up their pieces and move on.
Kazombo further issued a strong warning against various forms of abuse in camps.
Mulanje District Commissioner David Gondwe said the district has registered 150 deaths with 217 injuries due to Cyclone Freddy.
“At least 129 camps have been set up in Mulanje and are accommodating more than 130 000 people. A lot of infrastructure was damaged and two villages, Bodole and Ndala, were completely washed away,” said Gondwe.
He hailed the support the district is getting from well-wishers.
Senior chief Mkanda called for support in terms of building materials and seeds to enable the displaced people start a new life.
So far, Plan International Malawi has raised about $350 000 (about K350 million) but targets to raise K1.5 billion for humanitarian response to the Cyclone.
