Music artists in the country working under the name Unite for Flood Victims have come together to mobilize resources towards people who were affected by Tropical Storm ANA.
On Tuesday (7 March, 2022) the grouping donated assorted relief items to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) to assist the affected in the Lower Shire district of Nsanje.
Speaking during the handover ceremony that took place in Lilongwe at Vox Populi, Area 4, representative of the artists, Thoko Katimba said they were compelled considering that as artists, they get support from the affected, calling them their fans.
Katimba said that the grouping believes that the affected are part of those that have ever patronized their shows at some point or given them support in one way or the other.
“This idea of coming together to mobilize resources was made on a very short notice. Our manager approached us to achieve this noble gesture by reaching out to the affected.
“We are very much aware that a bigger number of people were affected and looking at what we are donating today, it may not reach out to all the affected but we hope that it will still make a difference,” said Katimba.
Looking at the needs of those affected, Katimba appealed to organizations to partner with musicians in the country by sponsoring subsequent events aimed at supporting the affected people.
In his remarks, Mayor for Lilongwe City Council Richard Banda, said the gesture rendered by the artists is extra ordinary.
“I never expected that musicians could gather and mobilize support for people affected by ANA. Government continues putting up resources together and reach out to all the affected in the country but still needs a helping hand hence the need for partners to complement government’s efforts”, said Banda.
Receiving the donation, DoDMA’s Deputy Director for Disaster Preparedness, Fedson Chikuse said the donation of relief items will go a long way to address the needs of the affected people in particular, and the disaster response in general.
“Let me assure you that this donation will be used for its sole intended purpose, that is provision of relief assistance to disaster affected people in Nsanje district. The department is inviting you the organizers or representatives to witness the actual distribution of the donated relief items to the beneficiaries in the targeted district this week,” he said.
The assorted relief items include 100 bags of maize weighing 50kg each, 500 plastic cups, and assorted clothes.
