By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, March 11, Mana: Nkhotakota District Council has called for help towards survivors of the recent flash floods that hit the district in the past weeks killing six and displacing over 14,000 people.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), Acting Disaster Risk Management Officer for Nkhotakota District Council, George Zibophe, said the Council is waiting for the inter-agency assessment report which was carried out last week to provide the final status in terms of impacts and needs.

Zibophe said people in camps still need continued help to ease their stay in the camps.

“Efforts to provide assistance to the affected population in camps are ongoing as there are a lot of pressing needs,” said Zibophe.

He appealed for assistance with urgent needs for maize flour, relish, sugar, cooking oil, shelter materials like family tents, plastic sheets, hygiene items like soap and reusable sanitary pads amongst others.

The district has so far set up 12 camps in various areas of traditional authorities Mphonde, Malengachanzi and Kanyenda in Dwangwa area which was hit the hardest by the floods.

In the past weeks, government and various development partners such as Red Cross, Embassy of Iceland, Umunthu plus, members of parliament and private citizens have sent different types of assistance to the affected people. 

A preliminary report from the Council indicated that a total of 9,378 people were sheltered in the camps with 4,121 males and 5,257 females and 1,972 under five children.