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 Wednesday, 18th January; 2023, disasters; mainly stormy rains, floods, strong winds, heavy rains, halistorms and lightning; have affected 27 councils namely; Balaka, Blantyre City, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe District, Machinga, Mangochi District, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Mzuzu City, Neno, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntcheu, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba City and Zomba District.
Cumulatively, 16,427 households (approximately 73,921 people), have been affected. The death toll has risen from 49 (as reported in our previous update); to 56 this week. Lightning strikes have killed 30 people while 26 died due to collapsed walls following stormy rains and strong winds. So far, 145 people have sustained various degree of injuries. As indicated earlier on, the disasters have also caused damage to roads, schools and hospitals . The department has also received fresh reports on disasters from Zomba, Karonga, Mangochi, Kasungu, Chitipa, Mzuzu, and Kasungu Councils.
Currently, the department has reached out to 10,427 households (approximately 45,621 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 in Lilongwe on the 18th Day of January, 2023.
Charles Kalemba
COMMISSIONER FOR DISASTER
MANAGEMENT AFFAIRS
Disaster Risk Reduction is Everyone’s Responsibility!
The picture detail the provision of relief assistance to people affected by strong winds at Likoma Island
Photo credit: Likoma District Council.
