OWN CORRESPONDENT, Blantyre | Sunday
FLOODS in Malawi have not made world headlines, and there are no helicopters here flying low to pluck people to safety, as there are in neighbouring Mozambique – but more than 220 000 people have been affected by the raging waters which have devastated the country.
Thousands of people have fled their homes and are camping in schools which have been turned into refugee camps.
Vice President Justin Malewezi said that Malawi’s floods, affecting 13 of the country’s 27 districts, were “a serious human tragedy we are facing. It’s a national tragedy.”
Malewezi this week flew to several affected districts, consoling thousands of victims and assuring them of government support. He called on Malawians to rise to the occasion, saying ministers, politicians and the public sector had to give a helping hand before donors come in.
He told state television the biggest problem facing the flood victims was food insecurity. There is plenty of relief food available in Malawi, but the biggest hurdle is how to bring the food to the victims.
Thousands of metric tonnes of maize are stocked in warehouses in Nthceu district, central Malawi.
“We have transport problems. There are only eight trucks to take the maize to all affected areas. It’s not enough,” said government Chief Information Officer Antony Livuza.
Livuza said the government had sent an SOS to all ministries asking them to release about 40 trucks to transport the maize and other non-food items.
The problem is further compounded by inaccessible roads. The government has convened a meeting with donors in the administrative capital of Lilongwe, when it will present a comprehensive $1.5m budget to cover emergency relief. – AFP