Group assists disaster victims in Mangochi

 International charitable organisation Malawi Relief Fund UK, has bailed out 400 households affected by heavy rains in Mangochi District by providing them with relief items.

The beneficiaries, who are from traditional authorities (T/As) Mponda, Namabvi and Jalasi, received maize flour, sugar and plastic sheets, among other items.

Speaking after handing over the relief items, the organisation’s country representative Yakub Valli said they moved in after observing that the affected people were in dire need of support due to the destruction of their houses and the washing away of their crops.

“We were touched with the victims’ predicament; hence, we felt duty-bound to respond to the situation with the relief items to lessen their suffering,” he said.

Valli said his organisation supports poor people through provision of bursaries to needy students, empowering vulnerable women and farmers with financial support and engaging in charitable activities.

One of the beneficiaries, Esnart Alli, 62, from Chiponda Village, T/A Namabvi thanked the organisation for the donation, saying the natural disaster caused extensive damage to their property and has affected

their livelihoods.

She said: “The disaster left us with nothing. Even the seeds we planted were washed away.

“We don’t have peace at the moment. The items will mitigate our suffering.”

On their part, Mangochi Masongola lawmaker Ishmael Grant and his counterpart from Mangochi Lutende Edrissa Kazembe said the donation was timely as the affected people were in need of help.

“We are happy with the donation and we would like to thank Malawi Relief Fund UK for coming to rescue our constituents,” said Grant who asked other well-wishers to help the affected people.

About 1 136 households are in dire need of support, according to the Mangochi District Council