First Lady Gertrude Mutharika has, through Beautify Malawi (Beam) Trust, donated food items worth K33 million to 400- plus families affected by recent flash floods in Nkhotakota District.
Beam Trust National Coordinator Dingiswayo Jere said the items were meant to ease challenges that food survivors were facing.
Mutharika donated items such as maize flour, soya pieces and salt to residents of Kabiza camp for displaced people in Senior Chief Kanyenda’s area.
“There was a call from the district council as well as from the government for well wishers to come forward and support the displaced households.
“Therefore, Her Excellency First Lady Gertrude Mutharika thought it was necessary to mobilise resources for people who are still in camps now,” Jere said.
On his part, Nkhotakota District Commissioner Ben Matengeni Tonho commended the First Lady and Beam Trust for providing what he described as “timely support”.
He appealed to other organisations and well-wishers to follow suit.
“We had 14 camps. We have decommissioned some of them and are now remaining with four but we’re facing challenges.
“For example, we need to provide the people with accommodation and food items,” Tonho said.
One of the survivors at the camp, Grades Mulenga, appealed to the government to consider relocating villagers to safer areas.
“Repeated flooding continues to destroy homes and livelihoods in the district,” Mulenga said.
Over 30,000 people have been affected by flash floods in Nkhotakota District, with about 3,000 displaced and 12 lives lost in Senior Chief Kanyenda’s area alone.