Spurred by torrents and heavy flooding with aggravated after-effects which have turned people into destitution, the worldwide neutral and impartial humanitarian network, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in partnership with the Danish Red Cross in association with the national chapter, Malawi Red Cross have disbursed K214 million to support flood survivors in Nkhotakota District.
Prolonged heavy rains caused flooding of several rivers in the Lake districts of Nkhotakota and Karonga between February 27th and March and this affected tens of thousands of people to be destitute with 28,285 people needing help while 11,169 people were forced makeshift camps.
As a result of the floods, both borehole and pipe water has been affected in Nkhotakota and immediate maintenance and rehabilitation of water supply system remain significant especially at Dwangwa town centre and Nkhotakota Boma.
Further, sanitation and hygiene promotion remain critical in all camps to prevent disease outbreak hence the coming in of Red Cross to the rescue to provide humanitarian support to the affected population in all the affected districts.
The Danish Red Cross, therefore, as an act of charity and the spirit of humanitarianism has distributed K214 million to the flood survivors with each household receiving K100 000.
According to a report by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, the recent flash-floods affected over 14, 000 people, displaced over 10, 000, and claimed eight lives in Senior Chief Kanyenda’s area in the district.
Ministry of Lands director of housing Martin Chimangeni encouraged the recent flood survivors to plan for recovery and rebuild their lives.
“It is time we start rebuilding our lives. Let us not just fold our hands and keep waiting that some people will come to help us. We must take steps to get ourselves back on the feet and move on,” Chimangeni urged the people.
Nkhotakota district commissioner’s representative, Godfrey Kubwense, thanked various organisations and the government for the help and asked them to continue providing resources to assist the survivors.
Kubwense said: “The support has come at the right time and we are still appreciating the support various partners and government agencies are rendering to us as a council.”
“Let me ask other companies and organisations to come forward and continue assisting the survivors to return to their homes,” added Kubwense.
Senior Chief Kanyenda, Speaking at Ngala camp in the district Danish Red Cross Malawi country manager Eva Jordung Nicolson said they felt it necessary to support the people to get back on their feet.
In his remarks, Senior Chief Kanyenda thanked Red Cross for the timely support saying: “We are very grateful to Red Cross for this humanitarian act of benevolence. This will go a long way in saving lives.”
Eva Jordung Nicolson: “We have provided the support from partners to help beneficiaries and assist them to rebuild in their respective communities after experiencing the devastating floods since February this year.”
The Malawi Red Cross is part of The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement which was established in 1863 and was inspired by Swiss businessman Henry Dunant after the suffering of thousands of men on both sides of the Battle of Solferino in 1859.
The Red Cross Movement endeavours, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found and promotes mutual understanding, friendship, co-operation and lasting peace amongst all peoples in the world.
The Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) is a local humanitarian organization, which started its operations in 1932 as the Nyasaland Branch of the British Red Cross and it became a member of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 1971.
The work of the Malawi Red Cross Society is based on the seven fundamental principles which are also principles of the global Red Cross Movement.
“We have provided the support from partners to help beneficiaries and assist them to rebuild in their respective communities.”
Eva Jordung Nicolson
Danish Red Cross Malawi Country Manager
