Plan Malawi has donated items worth K42 million to 227 households affected by Cyclone Jude at Katuma Camp in Traditional Authority Nkanda in Mulanje.
The donation comes after people of Katuma Village were left homeless while their crops were washed away after Thuchila River burst its banks following heavy rains between March 10 and March 12 2025.
Speaking during the handover on Friday, Plan Malawi programme area manager Jane Mweziwina said they want children in the affected households to continue going to school although they are staying at a camp.
She appealed to Mulanje District Council to consider relocating the people to a safer area because they have been consistently affected by floods.
“The area is prone to flooding and was also affected by Cyclone Freddy in 2023; hence, our appeal to government to consider resettling the community in a safe place,” said Mweziwina.
One of the beneficiaries,
Mary Chimaliro said Cyclone Jude brought heavy rains for three days.
She said: “The water surrounded my house and I abandoned it and moved to the camp.
“Plan Malawi has responded to some of our needs but we need more support in terms of food and learning materials for the children.”
On his part, Mulanje district commissioner David Gondwe said Thuchila River changed its course and one of the solutions is to construct a dyke to prevent floods.
“In the long term, we want to dredge the river bed to redirect it to its original course on the way to join Ruo River,” he said.
In Mulanje, the cyclone affected 1 684 households.
The donated items included blankets, soya pieces, buckets, soap, dignity kits and chlorine
