Alert

Malawi - No 2/2009

Flooding and Cyclones in Chikwawa, southern Malawi

Geneva, 13 January 2009

Floods and cyclones have hit the Chikwawa district in the southern region of Malawi. Heavy rains poured down between the 9th and 11th January 2009, causing major floods with a number of rivers busting their banks. The floods swept away crops, livestock, homes and submerged many houses in the vicinity. In addition a cyclone has also struck the region devastating 104 houses destroying them completely with other household assets. More than 308 households are homeless (with their houses demolished and belongings washed away). Currently a total of 200.9 ha of land under crops (maize, sorghum, cassava and sweet potato) has been washed away. More than 52 goats and 98 poultry have been lost at the time of reporting. More flooding and cyclones are likely to occur as heavy rains with strong winds continue to affect the district.

ACT member the Evangelical Lutheran Development Services (ELDS) has a presence in Chikwawa and intends to work closely with the local authorities. The displaced population has no permanent shelter, nor food, or sanitary facilities, utensils, clean water, enough clothing and blankets. There is a high risk of commutable and water borne diseases as a result of the situation if the communities are unable to recover quickly.

Currently no humanitarian assistance has been given from ELDS, or other humanitarian organizations in the areas or by the Malawi government.

ELDS through ACT Malawi forum intend to assist the affected in the following areas; food aid, temporary shelter/sanitary materials (plastic sheeting), utensils, clothing, blankets, water purification tablets, crop seeds for replanting continued monitoring.

Detailed assessment is being conducted by ELDS in the flooded and cyclone affected areas. A detailed budget and targeting of beneficiaries will be produced after assessment is carried out. ELDS also intends to make a request for Rapid Response Funds to the ACT CO within the next few days to facilitate a timely response.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org).

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.