Goats give Cyclone Idai survivors hope
Plan International Malawi has distributed 150 goats to Cyclone Idai survivors in Machinga District as part of a recovery programme.
Plan Disaster Emergency Committee monitoring and evaluation officer Joel Ndeule said last week the project aims at enhancing livelihoods of the affected communities.
He said: “The floods damaged crops and livestock by either washing them away or submerging them.
“Livestock drowned in the floods, thereby limiting the livelihood source of affected populations; hence, the initiative.”
Ndeule said Plan is working with 10 livestock clubs that comprise 20 members each where 30 beneficiaries have received five goats each (one male and four female) on a pass-on scheme.
“The beneficiaries were trained in animal health management and will be from time to time assisted by government Community Animal Health Workers in monitoring the livestock,” said Ndeule.
Speaking after receiving her goats, Esitere Gayesi, a 50-year-old beneficiary, said the goats came at the right time when she was struggling to take care of four orphans.
Plan is implementing livelihoods, child protection and disaster risk reduction initiatives with funding from UKAid in Machinga, Zomba and Mulanje districts in line with Malawi Government Resilience Strategy pillars number two and three.
