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US provides K146m for disaster response

The United States Embassy has sourced $200 000 (about K146 million) from the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) to support government’s relief efforts following flood damage in several districts.

The support is in response to President Mutharika’s declaration of a State of Disaster due to heavy rains and flooding that affected some parts of the Southern and Central regions, affecting over 90 000 households and rendering over 15 000 people homeless.

Floods have caused a lot of damage in affected areas

A statement issued by the US Embassy yesterday states that USAid is also providing 45 658 bed nets to prevent malaria among affected families.

 According to the statement, US Embassy Chargé d’affaires Andrew Herrup on Wednesday visited the South to meet local government officials, assistance workers, and flood victims.

It reads in part: “He visited the Best Camp in Chikwawa, which currently serves more than 400 households of Malawians who had to flee their homes, to learn more about how individuals and families are coping with the challenges brought on by the flooding and to express the deep concern of the American people.”

 The statement further quotes Herrup as having said during his visit to the camp: “The United States Government is very concerned about the challenges that Malawians are facing due to heavy rains and flooding. We will coordinate closely with Dodma and other key actors to support the Government of Malawi’s relief efforts.

“Specifically, we will use our relief funds to support water, sanitation, malaria prevention, and agricultural recovery efforts. We will also be monitoring the flood situation with Dodma and other partners.”

 The $200 000 received from USAid/OFDA will be put to immediate use to begin helping flood victims recover from impacts of the recent flooding.

At least 13 districts have been impacted by the flooding, including Chikwawa, Machinga, Mulanje, Nsanje, Phalombe and Zomba according to the Dodma.

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