Floods cause havoc in Malawi
Malawi: The worst flooding in four years in Malawi has killed at least 56 people and the death toll is expected to rise, according to a report released by the Malawi government’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs, DoDMA.
Several months' worth of rain fell in a few days in 14 districts, causing what is now considered one of the worst flooding incidences in the past few years, Malawi’s weather meteorological department reported.
Chikwawa district was among hardest hit and 7 people died.
Among the victims is Hellings Mapanda, Health Surveillance Assistant (HSA) for Mapanda Health Centre in Chikwawa. He was swept to his death as he returned from conducting a village clinic. With darkness, he slipped and fell into the swollen river.
Social Behaviour Change Coordinator for World Vision’s Global Fund Malaria Mass Campaign, Prince Nkhata, said that Mapanda was instrumental during Malawi’s biggest mosquito net distribution mass campaign.
Water from Shire and Ruo Rivers collide at some point and push upwards, flooding villages around them.
The flash floods overturned damaged roads and collapsed homes. Many people were left stranded on rooftops, trees and were evacuated by military teams as water rose to swallow houses.
Malawi’s longest road, the M1, that connects the country, was cut off at one point rendering transport difficult and movement of aid nearly impossible.
In Chikwawa, a total of seven people died, making it the worst hit district.
The government has declared a state of disaster, calling on aid agencies and foreign governments to help. Over 922,000 people have been affected and are either in camps or being housed by friends and family as they wait to rebuild.
"There's water everywhere in our village and in the house. Our goats, chickens, clothes and blankets are gone. Everything is flooded," Ellen Hedimani said as she interacted with a World Vision team that went for assessments in her camp.
"I spent a whole night in the water, with my child on my head. All I saw was water and I never knew where to go as I did not want to risk my child,” she added.
Education has been hit
Nearly 400 schools across most of the affected districts are closed as flood victims have taken refuge in classrooms. People have been told to stay in the camps and wait for water levels to fall before they think of returning and rebuilding their homes.
“We can’t resume classes any soon. Much as the children need the classrooms, we know their parents and the children themselves need safety first”, said Afiki Banda, Head Teacher for Mileme Primary School in Mulanje where 1, 200 families have taken refuge.
World Vision has provided 300 tarpaulins for temporary housing, a child-friendly centre for one of the camps and 500 kilograms of HTH for water treatment.