Malawi Floods Displace Thousands, President Vows Preparedness Plan
The president inspected relief distribution and vowed long-term disaster preparedness efforts.
KARONGA, Malawi— Catastrophic flooding in northern Malawi has displaced over 4,000 people from their homes and disrupted agriculture, schooling and general welfare, President Lazarus Chakwera said Monday, writes Winston Mwale.
While visiting a temporary shelter camp in Karonga District, Chakwera said, "I learnt first-hand the magnitude of the problem and what we need to continue doing as our immediate response and resilience-building plan."
The president inspected relief distribution and vowed long-term disaster preparedness efforts.
"We are supporting the affected with relief items to ease their predicament," he said.
"Long term, we will enhance disaster preparedness efforts through construction of more dykes to prevent future floods."
Chakwera also toured a water supply project intended to bring potable water to over 185,000 residents in Karonga.
"This augurs perfectly with my administration's agenda to rally partners and communities in promoting the adoption of safe water sanitation practices," he said.
The crisis began Feb. 24 when the North Rukuru River overflowed its banks, inundating Karonga District.