Floods survivors get relief items

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) on Monday provided relief assistance to households affected by flash floods in Mzuzu City.

The relief items included 100 bags of maize, 10 bags of beans, 100 blankets, 100 mosquito nets, chlorine, housing units and kitchen utensils.

Speaking when he made a symbolic presentation of the items to 10 families at Mzuzu Stadium, Dodma commissioner Charles Kalemba said President Lazarus Chakwera, who is also Minister of Disaster Management Affairs, made a directive on the donation.

He said: “The President has given instructions that wherever disaster happens, Dodma should respond quickly and ensure that victims are assisted on time.

“I ask people who have built houses along river banks to move upland for their safety.”

Kalemba said 25 people have been killed by natural disasters between July and November this year.

Therefore, he asked Mzuzu City Council and residents to clear drainages to prevent more flooding.

The council’s deputy mayor Gift Desire Nyirenda thanked government for helping the victims.

He said the council is still conducting assessments to establish the extent of the damage.

The flash floods occurred on Friday following incessant rains and affected areas such as Masasa, Luwinga, Mchengautuba, Zolozolo, Luwinga West and Chibanja, destroying houses and property.