Deeply concerned by the suffering of the people affected by the floods in the Lake district of Mangochi, the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (Magla) has given Mangochi Municipal Council 5, 000 bags of maize flour worth K200 million to support the residents ease their hunger predicament.
In an act of benevolence to mankind and as a matter of Corporate Social Responsibility, Magla’s donation was given out as quickfire response to appeals the cries of the affected people in the district after rising water levels in Lake Malawi and its only outlet, Shire River over-streamflowed and subsequently destroyed the people’s households, livestock leaving tens of thousands displaced and destitute.
Magla Director General, Rachel Mijiga, speaking after presenting the donation to the Mangochi Municipal Council said:
“Our aim is to help relieve the victims’ suffering following the natural disaster. We sympathise with the people are going through hard time as a result of the flash floods.
Mijiga said her organisation, Magla, received reports that rising water levels in Lake Malawi have affected many people and that flash floods worsened the situation as they damaged crops, livestock and properties.
Mijiga said: “We are here today with maize flour to assist the most affected people around Mangochi Boma all the way to Cape Maclear to mitigate their suffering.”
The Magla chief said they expect the donation to alleviate the suffering of the victims.
Recieving the donation on behalf of the beneficiaries, Traditional Authority Mapira thanked Magla for the timely donation, saying the relief food will cushion the suffering of the people.
“I thank Magla for the maize flour. My subjects are going through a difficult time. They lost everything to the floods and rising lake waters. They need help, and this donation will go along way in easing the suffering,” he said.
Mangochi Municipal Council representative Kenneth Chimombo said: “The maize flour will ease the council’s burden in taking care of the victims, some of whom are seeking shelter in public facilities. We are grateful to Magla for this timely donation.
“We hope other companies will follow Magla’s gesture of good will to come here and donate more basic needs items,” Chimombo added.
About 3,090 people from 525 households along the lakeshore have been displaced by the flooding caused by the swelling lake.
MAGLA is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament charged with the responsibility of licensing of Gaming and Lotteries in the country.
The organisation has the power to regulate all gaming and lottery activities and is tasked to undertake some ancillary and operational functions associated with these principal roles.
MAGLA was formed from a merger between Malawi Gaming Board (MGB) and National Lotteries Board (NRB).
The Authority’s mission is to regulate the Gaming and Lotteries industry to promote a positive social economic impact.
“Our aim is to help relieve the victims’ suffering following the natural disaster.”
Rachel Mijiga
MAGLA Director General
