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Body constructs houses for the elderly

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mlambe Health and Social Trust (MhEST), has constructed and rehabilitated 35 houses for the elderly affected by floods in Zomba District.

Speaking on Thursday during the hand over, MhEST executive director Zahra Ismail said the houses will reduce deaths, injuries and loss of property of the elderly during floods.

Ismail (L) inspects a newly constructed house

“The objective is to ensure the elderly and children are protected from effects of bad weather that have an impact on the socio-economic development of the individuals and the society,” she said.

In her reaction, Idesi Gama, an elderly person, said the beneficiaries had no decent houses following the destruction caused by floods in March this year.

“We also need support for school children who lost uniforms and learning materials during the floods,” she said.

Group village head Chaweza commended the NGO for the houses and pleaded for more support.

“People are struggling to live normally following the loss of property, crops and livestock. We ask more organisations to rescue them,” he said. Over 29 892 households were affected in Zomba while 6 500 people, including children were displaced and sought refuge in evacuation camps which included schools, hospitals, churches, mosques and other public and private facilities.

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