Salima disaster survivors get relief food, items

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) has started providing relief food and items to over 1 000 households affected by rainstorms in Salima District last week.

The rainstorms destroyed homes and property in traditional authorities (T/A) Maganga, Kalonga, Pemba and Kambwiri in the district.

In an interview, Dodma spokesperson Chipiliro Khamula said they have since provided 520 bags of maize, plastic pails, cups, plates, blankets and plastic sheets to help the affected households get back to their feet.

“The distribution started on Saturday to the affected families who were in need of food, shelter and kitchen utensils,” he said.

Salima District acting relief and rehabilitation officer Moses Kaufulu said Oxfam in Malawi has also expressed interest to assist another 500 households with cash disbursements of K25 000 per household in what is dubbed Crisis Modifier Assistance.

He said the organisation was expected to start the cash distributions yesterday.

“The Crisis Modifier Assistance is a once-off funds transfer to assist the affected households access their basic needs as they wait for further assistance,” saidKaufulu.

According to plan, some households will benefit from Dodma’s response while some will benefit from Oxfam in Malawi cash assistance.

Anita Sefasi of T/A Kalonga, who received food items from Dodma on Saturday,said the storm destroyed her home and food items.

“It will take time yes for us to recover from the disaster, but we commend Dodma for helping us in the meantime,” she said.

According to Salima District Council, the stormy rains affected about 1 167 households. Out of this figure, 867 had their roofs partially blown off and 53 households had their houses completely destroyed.

Last week, rainstorms also affected Dedza, Lilongwe, Chiradzulu, Mangochi, Mulanje, Mchinji, Nkhata Bay, Nsanje, Phalombe and Mzuzu.