By Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, February 13, Mana. In response to the recent floods that affected communities in Mangochi, CARE Malawi has donated Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) items worthy k5 Million to Mangochi District Health Office, aimed at promoting hygiene and preventing the spread of diseases among flood survivors that are currently sheltering in camps.

Floods affected over 1500 households, and three people died while 48 others sustained injuries in Traditional Authorities (TAs) Chimwala, Mapira and Mponda.

Speaking during a symbolic handover ceremony of the items at Mangochi District Hospital on Wednesday, Care Malawi Project Manager, Chimwemwe Gremu said the organization thought it wise to support the survivors because of the floods, which has affected their livelihood.

Gremu said his organization is implementing a project called Malawi Drought Response project in Traditional Authorities Chiunda, Chowe, Namabvi and Makanjira, targeting 3000 households.

"We decided to make a donation of WASH items because of the floods which affected communities in T/As Chimwala, Mponda and Mapira, who are currently staying in camps. We have donated 1000kgs of chlorine powder, 100 H2S strips and 1200 tablets of soap to support the survivors," said Gremu.

District Environmental Health Officer (DEHO) for Mangochi District Health Office (DHO), Chimwemwe Jella described the donation as timely, observing it will go a long way in supporting the district to promote hygiene in the established camps.

Jella said the wash items are very important for the DHO to enhance safety and health status of the people in the communities.

"The chlorine will be used to treat the water that people are using on daily basis. The water testing kit is meant to monitor the quality of water and the soap for the people's normal hygiene routine," added Jella.

He therefore urged stakeholders in the district to continue supporting the DHO for it to be able to provide integrated health services and wash items in established camps.

Apart from WASH and nonfood items, care Malawi will also through the project distribute cash amounting to K92,500 for three months to selected survivors.