GOVT ASSIST THYOLO DISASTER VICTIMS

Vice-President Everton Chimulirenji has reaffirmed government’s commitment to assist people experiencing various challenges, including natural disasters in the country.

He said this on Monday in Traditional Authority (T/A) Nsabwe in Thyolo  where he distributed food and non-food items to people affected by strong winds that blew off roofs of about 1 542 houses and five schools in 15 T/As in the district.

The items include 600 bags of rice, 400 iron sheets and 850 metres of plastic sheets.

“President Peter Mutharika has sent me to visit the people affected by the disaster. This shows how committed the President is to uplift the welfare of the less privileged in this country,” he said.

The Veep also asked Malawi Enterprise Development Fund (MEDEF) to register names of those affected to get soft loans.

Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) Principal Secretary and Commissioner Wilson Moleni said the items distributed on Monday were part of an immediate response as they are still working with the district council to come up with the final figures of those affected.

He also said DODMA is prepared to deal with disasters as the rainy season approaches.

“Malawi is making progress in dealing with disaster. For example, the formulation of the Disaster Risk Management Bill going to Parliament soon, National Resilience Strategy and Disaster Risk Management Policy,” said Moleni.

DODMA has devolved some of its powers to district councils for swift response to disasters.