Severe flooding has killed 200 people in Nsanje and Chikwawa, the highly affected districts in the Shire River Basin. According to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, about 135000 people have been displaced when the tropical cyclone Bansi raged, causing heavy rains in the Southern Malawi. The hefty downpours that lasted about 3 days between January 12 and 14, forced the meandering Shire River to break its banks, causing severe flooding.
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| The vast Shire Valley |
In Chikwawa, 3 people died after the entire village of Mwananjovu was submerged, district officials said. Meanwhile, 3 people are still missing in the same village. In isolated cases dead bodies have been seen floating in the river.
District officials in Chikwawa estimate that over 10,000 households are displaced and are desperately in need of shelter, food and sanitary facilities.
According to Annie Chilongozi, Principal Administrative Officer at Chikwawa District Council, the district has established 16 safety camps for flood victims. She said some of the victims were sleeping under trees while others sought refuge in church and school buildings.
Meanwhile, ADRA Malawi has already carried out an assessment exercise to ascertain the extent of the damage and the victims’ immediate needs. Claudio Sandoval, ADRA Malawi Country Director who was part of the team that visited Chikwawa, said it was important for the organization to meet partners who were already responding to the disaster and find out about other items that could be needed for the victims.
Chilongozi told the ADRA Malawi team that there was an acute shortage of tents to accommodate more victims as many people were flocking to the camps for shelter after their houses had collapsed. She also bemoaned lack of funds for processing maize into flour for the victims.
Environmental Inspector for Chikwawa District Council, Efron Kausi said though sanitary facilities were provided to the camps, lack of transport was a major drawback for his team to monitor and supervise activities at the camps.
Meanwhile, UNICEF and the Malawi Army have already provided tents to the victims.
District officials in Chikwawa estimate that over 10,000 households are displaced and are desperately in need of shelter, food and sanitary facilities.
According to Annie Chilongozi, Principal Administrative Officer at Chikwawa District Council, the district has established 16 safety camps for flood victims. She said some of the victims were sleeping under trees while others sought refuge in church and school buildings.
Meanwhile, ADRA Malawi has already carried out an assessment exercise to ascertain the extent of the damage and the victims’ immediate needs. Claudio Sandoval, ADRA Malawi Country Director who was part of the team that visited Chikwawa, said it was important for the organization to meet partners who were already responding to the disaster and find out about other items that could be needed for the victims.
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| Damaged maize fields in Chikwawa |
Environmental Inspector for Chikwawa District Council, Efron Kausi said though sanitary facilities were provided to the camps, lack of transport was a major drawback for his team to monitor and supervise activities at the camps.
Meanwhile, UNICEF and the Malawi Army have already provided tents to the victims.
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