Malawi: 700 households in Mangochi have made it back to their houses after the camps were decommissioned. These families were staying in camps due to rising water levels along the shores of Lake Malawi and Shire River.
The officials of the Mangochi District have been extending their support to the families who have lost their houses in the floods. The officials said, the families have received significant support from non-government organizations like MRCS.
Mangochi District Council spokesperson Bishop Witmos confirmed the decommissioning of the camps in an interview. He said that the last camp at Nankhwali, Cape Maclaer in Traditional Authority Namkumba was decommissioned on Sunday, June 30.
The final camp to be decommissioned had a total of 15 households who have made it back to their houses after the threat of floods receded.
Witmos explained: “At the moment, though the water situation has not normalised, we have decommissioned all the camps that we had and people have gone back to their places.”
Witmos added that the council through support from Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) gave the survivors a package of K100,000 each, and they are also expected to get an addition of K50,000 per household.
“However, we are still looking for support such as maize, flour, building materials, soap, cooking oil, relish, among other items from partners to help the survivors to restart their lives,” he said.
However, a visit to Msukamwere Ward along the Shire River showed that some people are still at Windows of Home, an Orphanage Centre where they are seeking a shelter.
“We are still here and we can’t go back to our homes because our houses collapsed. Moreover, the water levels are still high,” said Asiyatu Hussein from the camp.
Councillor for the Ward Hawa Wasi said the people are in dire problems and they need immediate help from government, partners and well-wishers. The Malawi Red Cross Society has been joined by several well wishers in extending their support for the people of the district.