Machinga, May 27: The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and Participatory Rural Participation Organisation-PRPO on Tuesday launched a disaster relief distribution exercise in Machinga. The exercise will also benefit people in Zomba and Phalombe.
During the launch, UNHCR and PRDO officials distributed blankets, sleeping mats, kitchen utensils and mosquito nets to 400 households affected by the heavy rains early this year at Traditional Authority Sitola’s area.
According to PRPO Executive Director, Emily Banda, UNHCR and her organization will distribute the relief items in Traditional Authorities, Sitola, Chamba, Mposa and Kawinga.
She said affected individuals and households in Phalombe and Zomba will also receive the relief items.
About 2,000 households at Sitola, Chamba, Mposa and Kawinga are expected to receive the assorted items, according to UNHCR Associate Programmes Officer, Rose Eyorn.
She said UNHCR in collaboration with PRPO are expected to distribute relief items to about 9,000 households in Machinga, Zomba and Phalombe.
Eyorn reiterated that UNHCR was mandated to look after refugees but thought to extend its support to victims of the flood disaster in the three districts.
Senior Chief Kawinga welcomed UNHCR’s gesture. he said many people were yet to recover from the disaster and needed support.
