The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has provided relief assistance to over 22,000 people affected by disasters since the onset of the rains in the 2022/23 season.

Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs Charles Kalemba said the department has reached out to 22,662 people with relief items that included maize, family tents, housing units, kitchen utensils and plastic sheets for temporary roofing.

“The figure we have reached out to represents 82 per cent of the total number of affected people. Cumulatively, 27,504 people from 20 councils have been affected [by disasters]. The provision of relief assistance is ongoing and the department will reach out to all the affected as per reports from councils,” said Kalemba.

As of Wednesday, 7th December; 2022, disasters; mainly stormy rains, strong winds and lightning; have affected Balaka, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Lilongwe District, Machinga, Mangochi District, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mzimba, Mzuzu City, Neno, Nkhotakota, Ntcheu, Phalombe, Salima, Thyolo and Zomba District.

A total of 19 people have died [14 due to lightning strikes and five due to collapsed walls following stormy rains]. Fifty-five injuries have been registered. The disasters have also caused damage to public infrastructure, mainly school blocks and health facilities.

Pictures detail provision of relief assistance in some of the affected councils

Photo credit: Relief and Rehabilitation Officers