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 Friday, 23rd December; 2022, disasters; mainly stormy rains, floods, strong winds, halistorms and lightning; have affected 24 councils namely; Balaka, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe District, Machinga, Mangochi District, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mzimba, Mzuzu City, Neno, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntcheu, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Salima, Thyolo and Zomba District.
Cumulatively, 9,321 households (approximately 41,944 people), have been affected. The death toll has risen from 21 (as reported in our previous update); to 42 this week. Lightning strikes have killed 28 people while 14 died due to collapsed walls following stormy rains and strong winds. So far, 85 people have sustained various degree of injuries. The disasters have also caused damage to roads, schools and hospitals.
Currently, the department has reached out to 8,227 households (approximately 37,021 people and representing 88 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 is 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 23rd Day of December, 2022.
Signed
Charles Kalemba
COMMISSIONER FOR DISASTER
MANAGEMENT AFFAIRS
Disaster Risk Reduction is Everyone’s Responsibility!