Flash floods in
southern Malawi have displaced more than 40,000 people and killed
one person when his car was washed away by the rising waters. ACT
Malawi members say these floods have further hampered their relief
efforts in response to the ongoing drought. "Over 8,000 farming families
have been affected in Chikwawa where crops and livestock have been
washed away and houses destroyed.
According to the
Project Officer with Churches Action in Relief and Development
(CARD) in Nsanje district, parts of the areas affected in Nsanje look
like another lake. Since this is the time that Malawi receives heavy
rains, it is clear that those whose houses have been swept away will
stay with friends as well as in public buildings such as schools that
were spared by the floods. This will have adverse effects to the schools
that are about to open in one week.
Malawi's Meteorological
Department has warned that people living in low-lying areas throughout
Malawi should brace themselves for more flooding because heavy rains
will continue to fall in the coming weeks.
ACT members the
Evangelical Lutheran Development Services (ELDS) and Churches
Action in Relief and Development (CARD) will require the following
relief supplies: additional tents, water purification tablets, plastic
sheeting, seeds for immediate planting after the floods subside, blankets,
and kitchen sets.
ACT Malawi members
are currently gathering more details on the ground.
