Africa-Press – Malawi. Former president Peter Mutharika has called for unity as Malawians mourn those that have died due to Tropical Storm Freddy and strategise on how to help those living in temporary camps.
He said this when he visited people that have been displaced and are camping at Matope Primary School in Ndirande Township and The Samaritan Trust in Chilobwe, Green Corner.
“This is not the time to look at what party one supports or what religion they belong to. This is time for us to be united and help one another. I am not coming here on political grounds; I am coming here to offer moral support to those affected as well as offer the little that we have.
“You know, being in opposition, sometimes you need to mobilise resources very well; as such, I have instructed party leaders to individually help in their areas in whatever way they can,” he said.
Mutharika has since echoed calls for a speedy deliberation on the Disaster Management Bill which, he said, would help Malawi deal with issues such as that of improper settlement.
“We need to have a policy that is going to legally move people to a safer place but, also, a policy where we can have shelters in the country, where people can go when disasters strike or when warnings on disaster are being made. You see, in the United States, they have such structures and that is why, when disasters strike, a few people are affected and stranded,” he said.
Explaining his ordeal to Mutharika, 28-year-old Yohane Chamveka said his family home was demolished and that they sought shelter at The Samaritan Trust.
“It has not been easy to adjust to this life. In fact, it happened like a dream and, within the blink of an eye, my family and I were rendered homeless. We are grateful for your visit and we hope a lot more will emulate what you have done sir,” he said. Mutharika donated 500, 20-kilogramme bags of maize flour to people he visited.
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