Machinga communities hail flood-resilient interventions
People of Traditional Authority (T/A) Liwonde in Machinga have commended flood-resilient interventions Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (Cadecom) implemented in the district.
Speaking on Tuesday at Mangamba Primary School in the area during the project’s phase-out event, Losita Douglas, a community member, commended Cadecom for constructing flood-resilent houses for vulnerable people.
“I lost a house to floods, but Cadecom has constructed one for me,” she said.
Douglas said she was failing to concentrate on her farm work during the rainy season as she used to spend much of her time doing piecework to raise money for reconstructing her house.
Another beneficiary, Upile Ndeule, said the house will enable her children study at night during rainy season without fearing floods.
In his remarks, Mangochi Diocese Bishop Montfort Stima said they constructed the houses following destruction of homes during every rainy season in the area.
“Through Climate Change Programme Malawi and Liwonde Early Recovery Project, we have empowered communities with flood-resilient structures, potable water and irrigation farming,” he said.
The bishop said so far Cadecom has drilled four boreholes, installed a solar power irrigation scheme and trained 26 artisans to continue building flood-resilient houses after Cadecom handed over three model houses.
“Shelter is a basic human need and water is life. However, one cannot live without food. So, we installed solar equipment for the irrigation scheme,” he said.
Stima urged communities to own the assets to ensure their sustainability.
The project was funded by Scottish Catholic International Aid through Trocaire.
