By Phillip Pasula
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Network for Older Persons Organisations (MANEPO) has called on all well wishers, organisations and government to consider giving special and relevant aid to older persons staying in different camps as Cyclone Freddy victims.
Executive Director for MANEPO, Andrew Kavala, told Maravi Post that older persons are supposed to have special consideration when planning their assistance.
“So many older persons have been affected by Cyclone Freddy. These old people are being given assistance just like anyone else. Our plea is that we should not forget that needs of the elderly during moments like these are not the same as of those who are not elderly. We should therefore have special consideration for them when planning aid for the Cyclone Freddy victims,” explained Kavala.
Kavala added that MANEPO will be assessing the needs of the elderly from next week before reaching out to them.
“As an organisation, we have spoken with our donors and from next week we shall be assessing the ages to reach out. Our officers are working on the modalities. We have sourced funds that will enable us to reach out to older persons in Blantyre, Mulanje and other areas,” he said.
Tropical Cyclone Freddy has so far claimed 511 lives in Malawi with at least 533 people still missing and 1,724 injured.
