Rainstorm survivors to get cash transfers

Rainstorm survivors in Karonga District are set to benefit from a social cash transfer initiative courtesy of Catholic Relief Services.

Under the initiative, Catholic Relief Services has donated new phones to 627 beneficiaries to facilitate the payment. Each beneficiary will get K48 000 per month for three months to help them rebuild their homes.

In an interview on Monday, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Karonga Diocese project officer Obert Mkandawire said the intervention is targeting rainstorm survivors in traditional authorities (T/As) Kyungu, Kilupula and Wasambo.

He said: “The money will help them recover from the disaster following the destruction of their houses and property.

“So, I advise them to put the money to good use.”

Karonga District Council representative Precious Kumwenda advised beneficiaries to keep their phones and pin codes safe.

“Beware of conmen who may want to dupe you,” he said.

Kumwenda said as government is grappling to source resources for the survivors, it was good to see other partners such as the Catholic Relief Services coming in to help.

One of the beneficiaries, Gladson Malema, said he was struggling to raise money to repair his house whose roof was blown away by strong winds in January.

He said: “I will use the three-month donation to buy cement, iron sheets and pay a builder to work on my house.

“I will also use the money to buy food.”

According to the district’s disaster assessment report, between January and February, rainstorms affected about 5 550 households.