Machinga DC appeals for humanitarian support

Machinga district commissioner (DC) Rosemary Nawasha has appealed for humanitarian support towards 61 households whose houses were destroyed by heavy rains and strong winds.

The DC made the appeal on Tuesday in an interview, saying the people affected are in dire need of the support as most of them have nothing to rely on for survival.

Nawasha said a six-year-old child was killed during the incident, observing that there is need to speed up humanitarian support to enable people to survive.

She said: “It is true that our people who were affected by heavy rains accompanied by strong winds are in dire need of humanitarian support.

“We are appealing to well-wishers to come in quickly with food and shelter supplies to assist them. We have also sent a report to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs [Dodma] for assistance.”

The report to Dodma indicated that six-year-old child died, eight other people sustained injuries and property was destroyed.

Dodma spokesperson Chipiliro Khamula acknowledged receipt of the report and said the department is arranging to provide support to the affected households.

“We are making some arrangements so that the people affected should be assisted. We respond within 72 hours after receiving a report,” he said.

The rainy season is usually associated with natural disasters and a number of district councils have already developed contingency plans to deal with imminent disasters. n