Tag Archives: Paul Kalilombe

Development, District News

Karonga Council drills journalists on disaster risk management

Maravi Post Reporter 1 Comment

By Lusekero Mhango

KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-Department of Disaster for Karonga District Council has trained Journalists residing in the lakeshore district in Disaster Risk Management (DRM).

Speaking in an interview after officially opening the one day long training in Chitipa District on Monday, Karonga District Commissioner, Paul Kalilombe, said it was vital to orient journalists so as they can report on issues of disasters from an informed point of view.

He said “In as far as disaster risk management is concerned journalists are key stakeholders as they serve the best interests of the communities when they have a better understanding of the issues hence the training.”

Adding that “With proper training and understanding of disaster issues journalists will have a common stand to objectively give a point of view in relation to disaster issues in Karonga.”

Kalilombe then called upon journalists to work hand in hand with the council in the efforts of mitigating disaster risks within the district.

Speaking in a separate interview District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer for Karonga Shepard Jeri, challenged the Media not only to focus on when disasters are striking but have to strive to relay information and provide messages that should be able to help in mitigating the impacts of disasters.

“As much as it is important to give information to the general public of how much Karonga has been affected from disasters but we should also not forget the importance of educating the communities on what they can do when a disaster has struck and what they can do to save themselves and protect their properties.” He explained.

Jordan Simeon Phiri, one of the participants to the training, expressed gratitude to the organizers of the orientation saying the workshop was an eye opener as journalists lacked knowledge on issues of disaster risk management.

Phiri therefore challenged his fellow journalists to broaden up their horizon in their news gathering by embracing reporting on issues of disaster risks and their mitigations for the betterment of Karonga communities.

Malawi

Karonga District tightens measures to combat Covid 19

Maneno Chimulala

Written by Richard Kayenda

Karonga DC Paul Kalilombe

Karonga District will tighten preventive measures in a bid to keep the spread of Corona virus in check in the face of one confirmed case of Covid 19 in the district a week ago.

Speaking on Tuesday, District Commissioner for Karonga, Paul Kalilombe, said the confirmed case of the pandemic in the district is a tip of the iceberg, bearing in mind that most people in Karonga engage in cross border businesses with the neighbouring Tanzania where the disease has gained a wider ground.

“As a district, we are ensuring that preventive measures against the spread of Corona virus are tightened further: no mobile markets, no more lawlessness and what have you.

“We are only appealing to our security agency: the police, Immigration Department and other to join hands to deal with the situation and not bickering with each other. Further, we have to follow our laws as our counterparts in Tanzania do and people have to be careful of the dangers of this pandemic, and not travelling to and back from Tanzania as if they are not aware of this disease,” said Kalilombe.

On 26 April, the country recorded another case of Covid 19 from Karonga District, raising the number of Covid 19 cases to 36.

He is a 27 year man who recently travelled from Tanzania and was observing self quarantine.

Currently, Malawi has a total number of 36 cases of the disease. Four people recovered from it and three died of the same.

Malawi

Government pledges to offer funeral and hospital expenses to Lake Malawi boat accident’s victims

Maravi Post correspondent

Break News: Government pledges to offer funeral and hospital expenses to Lake Malawi boat accident’s victims

We continue coverage of the breaking news of the tragedy on Lake Malawi that so far has claimed five lives.

The Malawi Government, through the Department of Disaster and Management Affairs (DoMA), said it will provide assistance towards the cost of the funeral arrangements of the victims of the Lake Malawi boat accident, and hospital bills to the survivors who are receiving medical attention.

According to the press statement from DoMA, anyone or organisations wishes to offer humanitarian assistance should contact government through the following persons:

++Mr. Paul Kalilombe, Director of Response and Recovery, Department of Disaster Management Affairs, on phone number ?0999 865 568.

++Mr. Lusizi Nhlane, District Commissioner of Rumphi, on phone number ?0999 387 602.?

The boat capsized at Mlowe on Lake Malawi in Rumphi district around 3 pm on Sunday, 16 April, 2017, with most of the passengers coming from an Easter service. Reports state that preliminary figures indicate the boat was carrying 79 passengers.

It is also reported that the boat was on its way to New Salawe in Nkhata Bay via Tchalo, Zunga and Old Salawe in Rumphi.

According to information sourced by Maravi Post, the boat capsized at a distance of about 100 metres into the Lake soon after sail-off.

Current information on the ground indicates five people have died, 20 are still missing, while 54 people survived during the accident. They were rescued by people from the surrounding communities while some swam back to the shore.

The government is assuring Malawians that the Malawi Defence Force officers from Chilumba Barracks, are on site of the accident to continue searching for those passengers that are still missing. This is a collaborative mission with the Malawi Police Service until they complete the rescue exercise.

Government extends condolences to the bereaved families for having lost their loved ones during this tragic accident.