Catholic Church Partners with Malawi Government in Cyclone Relief Efforts

BLANTYRE, Malawi— The Catholic Church, through its Social Development Arm, the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) in the Archdiocese of Blantyre, has partnered with the Malawi government through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) in the relocation process of people affected by Cyclone Freddy in some districts in the Southern Region of Malawi, writes Luke Chimwaza.

The CADECOM Secretary for the Archdiocese of Blantyre, Mandinda Zungu, highlighted the need to support families with take-home packages as DoDMA closes some of the camps, particularly those in schools. She appealed for more support for the cause.

"Since Cyclone hit, we conducted an assessment of the affected, and we've been supporting people with the provision of water sanitation and hygiene kits as well as food and non-food items," Zungu said.

"We've also trained 30 builders who'll be constructing temporary shelters for the affected people in some areas, including Phalombe."

Zungu added, "At the moment, DoDMA is closing most of the camps, especially those that are in schools, the people are returning home, it is key that CADECOM, in partnership with the government and DoDMA, provides the communities with the take-home package."

The Association of Malawians Living in Ethiopia handed over 1,067 blankets to CADECOM that will be donated to cyclone survivors in Phalombe.

The chairperson for the Association of Malawians living in Ethiopia, James Bwirani, said the donation has been made in the spirit of oneness.

"We are Malawians, and as Malawians, we help each other," Bwirani said. "When we're bereaved, we mourn together, when we're happy, we celebrate together, when we raise our children, we raise them together, and similarly, when we have a problem, we have to face that problem together. So we as Malawians living in Ethiopia felt duty-bound to help our fellow Malawians who were affected by the devastating Cyclone Freddy."

Malawians living in the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and other well-wishers contributed about 6.4 million kwacha, which was used to buy 1,067 blankets.

Ethiopian Airlines has also offered to airlift the tonnage free of charge.

There is an expectation that other non-food items will be airlifted into the country without any taxation later this week.

The partnership between the Catholic Church and the Malawi government provides hope for the displaced people of the southern region of Malawi affected by Cyclone Freddy.