By Lawrence Chilomo and Willy Kadewere

Chikwawa, December 7, Mana: Malawi Government through Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSLRP) has started disbursement of K150, 000 to 14,943 households who were affected by Tropical Cyclone Freddy in Chikwawa district.

The disbursement which is supported by the World Bank started his week and is meant to assist affected households to recover from the socio-economic effects of the cyclone.

Senior Land Resources Conservation Officer for Chikwawa, Ackim Dickson said the cash will assist the beneficiaries in sourcing their requirements after Tropical Cyclone Freddy devastation.

“Due to Tropical Cyclone Freddy, the families lost properties and food. It is therefore our hope that they will purchase food for their families,” said Dickson.

“The money is for three months, amounting to K50,000 per month, covering November, December, and January, totalling to K150,000,” he added and further urged beneficiary households to use the cash responsibly to meet their family needs.

In her remarks, one of the beneficiaries from Chagambatuka Village, Traditional Authority Makhuwira, Melia Alfred commended the government for the initiative.

“This money will transform help my family to meet basic needs because I will buy food and other necessities,” said Alfred.

She therefore appealed to fellow beneficiaries to use the money wisely saying this was an opportunity for the beneficiary households to improve their living standards after losing property and food due to Tropical Cyclone Freddy.

Apart from Chikwawa, the disbursements are also being implemented in Nsanje, Phalombe, Mulanje and Zomba.