Save the Children to support flood survivors

Save the Children has appealed for urgent local and international intervention to support families and children with basic services, including food and water in Nkhotakota District. 

In a press statement issued on Thursday, Save the Children country director Ashebir Debebe said they know that children are the hardest hit.

He said: “Children have been forced out of their homes and are going for days without school. With lessons from the impacts of El Nino in the past, failure to act will place millions of children at risk in terms of their long-term well-being and future development.

“Save the Children is calling for urgent funds to be made available to provide basic services.”

In Nkhotakota, James Phiri, 14, said the floods on February 27 destroyed his home.

“I woke up only to discover that water had flooded our room,” he said.

James said it was by sheer luck that he and his parents escaped the disaster.

Emily Nthala, the chairperson of Lakeland Camp where James sought refuge, said the 2 400 occupants are facing water, sanitation and hygiene challenges as well as food shortage.

“The prevalence of mosquitoes in the camp also exposes children to the risk of malaria,” she said.

Nkhotakota district director of planning and development Davies Kavalo said the floods also affected people’s livelihoods.

“The floods affected rice irrigation schemes and fish dams, rendering families destitute,” he said.

Save the Children senior area operations and humanitarian manager Steve Kamtimaleka said they developed their response plan, focusing largely on protection and education.

“We need $250 000 [about K425 million] to effectively respond. We have only raised $100 000 [about 170 million]. We appeal to generous donors for support,” he said.

Nkhotakota District Council said the flash floods affected at least 80 434 people, including 48 children.