UPDATE ON FLOOD DISASTER RESPONSES AS AT 17th JANUARY 2015

1. An estimated 27,000 households (approx 135,000 people) have now been displaced since the floods hit the areas. The most affected districts are Nsanje, Chikwawa and Phalombe. Since 16th January 2015, government has noted that some Mozambican Nationals affected by floods have crossed over into Nsanje District.

2. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Nsanje and Chikwawa. Additional 100 people were evacuated to camps in Nsanje on 16th January 2015. More households are arriving at the camps that have been established to accommodate people that have been evacuated from the affected areas in Chikwawa and Nsanje as water in some parts is subsiding.

3. Additional helicopters are being arranged with the Republic of South Africa.

4. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs and other organizations are continuing to distribute food and non food items to the affected. More dispatches are being made now as some of the areas are becoming accessible with relief items. Airlifting of relief items to Mlolo area in Nsanje is ongoing and also the evacuation of vulnerable groups from the area to Bangula Camps to medical and other services.

5. Following the declaration of a state of disaster by the State President, a number of organizations are coming forward to donate assistance to the affected population.

• Kamponji Estates have donated 150 metric tons of maize flour. The flour will be collected daily on average of 50 metric tons and will be distributed on need basis across the affected areas. 14 metric tons are now being loaded on the MDF trucks to be delivered to Nsanje District.
• Kamponji Estates have also donated 2000 blankets and will provide eggs to meet nutritional needs of the affected people.
• Nyasa Manufacturing has donated 20 maize flour and 1000 blankets;
• First Merchant Bank has made a cash donation of MK20 million;
• CDH Bank has donated MK1 million;
• Mr Milward Nyangulu  from Mchinji has donated 350- 25 kg bags of maize; and
• Motal Engil has offered for free use its road construction and maintenance equipment for maintenance of roads in all affected areas across the country.

6. The consolidation of a comprehensive response plan is underway. The plan will highlight the needs of the different sectors and resource requirements. A number of Development Partners have pledged support once the response plan has been finalized.

7. A team from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has arrived in the country to assist in the response coordination efforts. The United Nations (UN) team and DoDMA officials undertook a flyover today over   flood affected areas in Mangochi, Phalombe, Chikwawa, Nsanje, Machinga, Zomba and Mulanje to appreciate the damage caused by the floods. The report will be released.

8. The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has indicated that a moderate tropical storm in the Mozambique Channel continues to shift further eastwards towards Madagascar thereby reducing moisture inflow into southern Malawi. Congo air mass is however expected to remain dominant over central and northern areas of Malawi. Therefore, less rains over southern Malawi over the weekend hence the chance to enhance the ongoing response operations.

9. Since the rains are expected to continue, I would like to continue urging all people living in low lying areas in flood disaster prone districts to move upland and avoid crossing fast flowing streams and rivers in order to avoid losing lives as a result of the floods.

 

 

Office of the Vice President

Lilongwe

17th January, 2015