BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc, listed on the Malawi Stock Exchange has increased its assistance towards a housing project for survivors of Cyclone Freddy in Chikwawa to K180 million from an initial MK100 million.
The sugar manufacturer on Tuesday presented the additional K80,052,300 to Chikwawa District Council, with General Manager for the Nchalo Estate Ricky Pillay pledging Illovo’s commitment to continue holding hands with local communities in their time of need.
“We are here to underscore Illovo Sugar Malawi’s sustained commitment to supporting the recovery and enhancing the livelihoods of Malawians impacted by Cyclone Freddy.
“Our financial support to the people of Chikuse village represents more than mere physical dwellings; but a foundation for stability and the resumption of normal life for beneficiary families,” he said.
Pillay explained that Illovo’s package will see a total of 10 housing units and accompanying toilets standing up in Chikuse T/A Makhuwira, one of the Cyclone Freddy’s hardest-hit areas in Chikwawa.
He said an initial nine houses had already been completed and work to build the accompanying sanitation facilities would now proceed following the additional funding.
“During the implementation phase of this project, a critical need for integrated sanitation facilities was identified. Recognizing the fundamental importance of these amenities to public health and individual dignity, Illovo Sugar Malawi undertook a further financial
commitment to address this gap,” he said.
Pillay added that Illovo Sugar Malawi firmly believes in collaborative approaches with the government, traditional authorities, and all relevant stakeholders in its quest to contribute to building stronger and more resilient communities.
Receiving the donation, District Commissioner Nardin Kamba hailed Illovo Sugar for shouldering the responsibility to provide housing facilities to vulnerable villager who survived the devastating Cyclone Freddy ordeal.
“We are grateful to Illovo for their untiring quest to ensure that the houses they are building will be complete with sanitation facilities. They have come to fill a very critical gap and reaffirm that they stand with us in our difficult times,” said Kamba.
The 2023 Cyclone Freddy left over 1,000 people dead and displaced thousands of others across several districts in southern Malawi with the Lower Shire River district of Chikwawa amongst the hardest-hit areas.
Illovo’s humanitarian response followed a request by Cyclone Freddy Recovery Goodwill Ambassadors former Presidents Dr Joyce Banda and Dr. Bakili Muluzi who were appointed by President Lazarus Chakwera.