By George Mponda

Karonga, April 5, Mana: Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurch Aid (NCA-DCA) has said it will provide cash to over 500 households which were affected by floods in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga.

The floods which followed heavy rains on 23 and 24 February, affected nearly 911 households, including 516 displaced into camps.

Speaking during a Disaster Risk Management Committee meeting in the district on Friday, Senior Humanitarian Officer for NCA, Augustine Tonde said after the disaster, NCA-DCA provided vehicles for logistical support as well as blankets and buckets to 161 affected households.

"This time, we want to reach over 500 households with cash amounts of K90,000 per household in Group Village Heads, Kalambo, Mwenechilanga, Mwandwanga, Mweneyumba, Mwahimba and Zindi. The process of cash distribution will be handled by a third party possibly NBS bank," Tonde added.  

According to Tonde, the organization has budgeted K70 million for the humanitarian response and will first embark on a door to door verification exercise, in coordination with Karonga District Council, before actual disbursement of the cash which is expected to be completed within two weeks.

Reacting to the development, Disaster Risk Management Officer (DRMO) for Karonga District Council, Humphrey Magalasi hailed NCA-DCA for stepping in to bail out the flood victims who have since left the decommissioned camps back to their homes.

"Indeed, the flood victims have so many needs and this money will go a long way in helping them get back on their feet. However, I would advise the beneficiaries not to be forced to share the money because doing that is against the Disaster Risk Management Act and it reduces the impact of the intervention," said Magalasi.

During the meeting, Magalasi also reported that 833 households have been affected by flooding which occured from 29-31 March in the areas of Senior Chief Kilipula and Senior Chief Mwakaboko, adding that 130 of the households have been forced into camps.