The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) in the office of the President and Cabinet would like to update the general public on the status of disasters and response operations in the 2022/23 rainfall season.

As of Thursday, 15th December; 2022, disasters; mainly stormy rains, strong winds, halistorms and lightning; have affected 23 councils namely; Balaka, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe District, Machinga, Mangochi District, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mzimba, Mzuzu City, Neno, Nkhotakota, Ntcheu, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Salima, Thyolo and Zomba District.

Cumulatively, 6,934 households (approximately 31,203 people), have been affected. The death toll has risen from 19 (as reported in our previous update); to 21 this week. Lightning strikes have killed 15 people while six died due to collapsed walls following stormy rains). So far, 59 people have sustained various degree of injuries. The disasters have also caused damage to public infrastructure.

Currently, the department has reached out to 5,858 households (approximately 26,361 people and representing 84 per cent of the total number of affected people) with relief assistance which include food and non-food items namely; maize, family tents, housing units, kitchen utensils and plastic sheets for temporary roofing. Provision of relief assistance on-going and the department will reach out to all the affected people as per the reports from affected councils.

The general public will be duly informed regarding the status of disasters and any related developments.

For more information, please contact the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chipiliro Raymond Khamula, on +265 (0) 999 043 228, (0) 884 572 844 E-mail; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Issued on the 15th Day of December, 2022.

Charles Kalemba

COMMISSIONER FOR DISASTER

MANAGEMENT AFFAIRS

Disaster Risk Reduction is Everyone’s Responsibility!

Pictures detail the provision of relief assistance to affected people

Photo credit: Mulanje District Council