Disaster victims in Mzuzu City appeal for assistance

Disaster victims in Mzuzu City who had their properties and houses destroyed by floods following heavy rains on Wednesday, have appealed for government to provide them with relief items.

The floods which left most houses and toilets half submerged, affected most parts of the city which included St Augustine, Salisbury Lines, Chibanja, Viyele, Chiputula and Ching’ambo.

One of those affected in Chibanja Township, Ezelina Simwayi said the affected households fear that the floods could trigger Cholera out break and other waterborne related diseases following the destruction of sanitation facilities such as toilets.

One of the affected students at Mzuzu University (Mzuni), Daniel Soko said the flooding waters have swept away his properties including study materials which include a laptop and a mobile phone.

Mzuni Students Union Council President, Greenson Mbotwa said about 150 off campus students have been affected by the floods and 51 of them have been rendered destitute since their food stuffs and laptop computers have been soaked.

He added that the Management for Mzuni has intervened, by securing accommodation in the main campus for some of the affected students.

Councillor for Chibavi West Ward, Gabriel Mwaungulu said several houses within the ward have been destroyed and called for urgent assistance from government and other organisations.

Spokesperson for Mzuzu City Council, McDonald Gondwe said the council is yet to submit a report to Department of Disaster and Management Affairs as the assessment is ongoing.