Trust urges Mangochi flood victims to go home

Al-Barakah Charity Trust, a Mangochi-based non-governmental organisation, has expressed worry that some families affected by floods in Mangochi in March this year are refusing to return to their homes.

The trust’s director of finance and administration Saeed Witness said they received reports that the flood victims want to remain in camps to continue receiving donations.

He said this on Monday at Chimwala Camp, Traditional Authority (T/A) Chimwala in the district when he donated relief items to 1 500 families.

Speaking after presenting the items, Witness advised the families to return to their homes, saying staying in camps longer can compromise their health and is counterproductive.

“You also need to start practising family planning because high population is causing deforestation that leads to floods,” he said.

Witness commended the United Arab Emirates and Red Crescent for supporting them to assist flood victims.

The items, worth about K30 million which included flour, soya pieces, salt, sugar, cooking oil and water guard were given to families from T/As Chimwala, Mponda and Jalasi.

One of the survivors, Patuma Ajusa from T/A Chimwala, said life in camps has been unbearable due to poor sanitary conditions, sickness, lack of food and other needs.

“But thanks to Al-Barakah Charity Trust for the items. We pledge to relocate and these items will help us restart life in our homes,” she said