Dodma sounds SOS after storm affects 50 000

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) has appealed for more support to reach out to about 50 000 people affected by the devastating effect of Tropical Storm Ana.

Dodma said the storm, which made a landfall in northern Mozambique on Monday, has affected 12 districts of Nsanje, Chikwawa, Dedza, Mwanza, Zomba, Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Machinga, Balaka, Neno, Ntcheu and Mchinji.

Government has already provided K1.9 billion to Dodma  to help it respond to the disaster.

However, speaking on Wednesday in Blantyre when receiving relief items worth K220 million from Malawi Red Cross Society, Dodma response and recovery director Reverend Moses Chimphepo said the available resources were not enough.

He said they want more resources to reach out to all the affected populations and help in recovery of damaged infrastructure which include roads, bridges, electricity poles and public buildings.

Chimphepo said: “The disaster is huge, a lot of people are in camps and they have nothing to sustain themselves.

“Some areas are still impassable and there is no electricity and water, especially in Chikwawa, due to infrastructure damage.”

In his remarks, MRCS president Innocent Majiya said the society works with government in responding to such disasters to ease the suffering of the people.

The donation meant for those affected in Nsanje, Chikwawa, Mulanje, Thyolo, Zomba and Phalombe included blankets, shelter tool kits, buckets, tarpaulins, sanitary kits and Covid-19 personal protective equipment.

Dodma reported that as of Wednesday, three deaths were recorded in Neno, two each in Mulanje and Blantyre City; one each in Blantyre District and Mwanza.

Chikwawa recorded ten deaths according to District Commissioner Ali Phiri, bringing the total number to 19.

A total of 107 people have been injured and 48, 216 households, approximately 216 972 people, have been affected.