LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse government has set aside nearly MK7 billion worth of food supplies both for people affected by disasters and food-insecure households during this year’s lean period.
Principal Secretary and Commissioner for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA)Charles Kalemba on Monday, January 24, 2022 told the news conference in the capital Lilongwe that most parts of the country’s Southern Region will experience floods due to Cyclone Anna.
He disclosed that about 1.7 Malawians are food insecure in 2021/2022 growing season according the November 2021 Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) report.
Kalemba said the floods will be a result of heavy rains and strong winds occasioned by Cyclone Anna from the Indian Ocean through Mozambique.
The commissioner therefore urged the public to be on high alert, warning that those in flood-prone areas must relocate to uplands.
He added that DODMA has since raised awareness on weather forecasts across the country’s councils, adding that 21 early warning system equipment has been installed across the country, for enhanced disaster response.
On disruption of learning when those affected by disasters seek refugee in schools, the Commissioner said DODMA has constructed evacuation centres in Salima, Karonga, Mangochi, Balaka, Zomba, Chikwawa and Phalombe districts to help address the challenge.
He further disclosed that Government has so far reached out to 19, 000 families with food and non-food items out of 24, 000 households affected by stormy rains since the onset of the rains.
Those facing food shortages during this year’s lean period are getting 2 bags of maize and some cash.
Records further indicate that at least 39 people have since died as a result of floods and lighting since the onset of this year’s rainy season.
