By Willy Kadewere

Chikwawa, April 16, Mana: In a bid to reduce the effects of recent floods that have heavily affected people of Ngabu in Chikwawa, government through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has distributed food and relief items to households affected by floods in the district.

The floods follow heavy downpour on Thursday last week, which claimed the lives of three people, washed away houses, crops, livestock, and also damaged other materials at Ngabu Health Facility.

In her remarks after the distribution, member of parliament for the affected area who is also Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia, commended the quick intervention by DoDMA which distributed a 50 kilogrammes bag of maize, beans, plastic sheets, and family tents.

"We thank the government of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera for the quick support. Barely two days after the disaster hit our area, government through DoDMA has supplied us with food relief items and shelter materials. Affected families whose houses have been completely washed away will have an opportunity to receive family tents and plastic sheets," Said Mia.

Mia appealed to other well-wishers and partners to support the devastated families as they lack a lot and have nothing to depend on since even their farms have been completely damaged.

Member of Parliament for Chikwawa South, Illyas Abdul Karim whose area has also been affected by the floods, expressed gratitude for the timely support from the government, but appealed for more aid considering that not only houses were affected.

He appealed to stakeholders for a coordinated assistance to the affected families and reminded leaders in the camps to desist from corrupt practices.

According to Chikwawa District Commissioner, Nardin Kamba, the floods have affected over 1600 households and government through DoDMA has distributed over 1600 bags of maize, 45 bags of beans, 30 family tents, and 20 rolls of plastic.

Kamba encouraged those that can manage to move away from camps to do so and asked the affected families to send their children to school since education is the only key that can transform people’s lives.

Currently the district has elected six camps where the affected people are sheltering, namely Ngabu sports club, Nkhwangwa, Mwanamakoko, Mphamba, Mchenga, and Msomo.