Cadecom asks people of Lower Shire to relocate
Communities clinging to disaster prone-areas in the Lower Shire have been asked to relocate to higher areas.
Speaking on Friday on behalf of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the district, Catholic Development Commission (Cadecom) Chikwawa office official, Augustine Tonde, said this will be for their safety.
Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) organised the sensitisation meeting to demonstrate how communities would take responsibility during disasters, especially providing first aid assistance to victims
Said Tonde: “This issue that every year we come to your areas and talk about or plead with you to move to upper areas is tiresome. It is becoming too much and we are tired of it. You are aware that this area you are living in is a flood-prone area; so why can’t you move out when there are pending disasters?”
He blamed chiefs who lead their subjects by clinging to areas that would in the end destroy their property as well as life.
Tonde has since asked them to change their mindset for a better Malawi.
“Help government and you shall be rewarded. If you help government by saving the resources that are coming to your areas because of disasters, the very same resources will be used in other areas of development,” he said.
Chikwawa district commissioner representative Charles Chibwana urged communities to plant trees in river banks as one way of preventing floods and heavy winds.
Group village head Khungubwe commended MRCS for organising the meeting. n
