Red Cross tips flood survivors

Malawi Red Cross Society has asked people living in flood-prone areas in Karonga to build resilient houses that can withstand disasters.

Karonga District Red Cross project coordinator Mercy Chalimba said this on Wednesday when they disbursed K7.8 million to people whose houses were damaged by floods and strong winds last month. 

“We urge beneficiaries to use the money to construct resilient shelters,” she said.

Chalimba asked the beneficiaries to work with Red Cross volunteers when constructing the houses, saying they were trained on how to build resilient structures.

She also said Red Cross  distributed relief items such as soap, buckets, face masks and sanitary materials for women courtesy of Unicef to those still living in camps.

On his part, Tendi Camp chairperson Osward Mwakiyale thanked Red Cross for the donation, saying it will ease some of the challenges people are facing at the camp.

“But people that are camping at a nearby church are in need of food, clean water and tents to construct shelters to reduce congestion in the church building,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Ester Mwang’onda, said she will use the money to construct a resilient house.

With support from the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, Red Cross gave beneficiaries money ranging from K13 000 to K65 000 depending on the extent of the damage.

About 222 households were affected by floods and strong winds in Karonga last month.