WaterAid donates K30m supplies to cyclone survivors

WaterAid Malawi says there is need to protect human dignity through provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (Wash) services in camps sheltering Tropical Cyclone Freddy survivors.

The organisation’s hygiene behaviour change specialist Maria Soko said this on Saturday when they donated Wash supplies worth K30 million to survivors through Malawi Red Cross Society in Blantyre.

She said: “The donation comes in handy because their dignity has been compromised. Talk of women who lack decent bathrooms.

“Most of them might be in their menses. We have provided menstrual kits, safe water and diapers for children.”

Malawi Red Cross Society head of disaster management Chisomo Teputepu said Wash is a critical area that requires urgent response due to the cholera situation currently prevailing in the country.

He, however, hoped that the response to the disaster would be sustained with the support of government and other organisations.

“We are not doing this alone. Together with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, we will launch an appeal to address early recovery and build resilience among the affected communities,” said Teputepu.

WaterAid works to protect the Wash rights through research and collaborated efforts with government and other stakeholders.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy has, so far, displaced 490 098 people and killed 476 in the Southern Region.