Traditional leaders from the area of Traditional Authority Symoni, in Neno district, whose areas were heavily affected by the recent tropical storm ANA, have appealed for more assistance from the well-wishers saying the current situation in the area is devastating.
The plea was made on Friday when World Vision donated assorted food items, including maize, beans, salt and likuni phala to 1,998 households affected by the disaster.
The most affected villages that have benefited from the donation are Manyenje, Waiyatsa, Gobede, Somisomi and Kammwamba.
The food items donated by the World vision include 250 bags of maize weighing 50kgs each, 848 bags of maize flour weighing 20kgs each, 155 bags of likuni phala weighing 5kgs each, 39 bags of beans weighing 50kgs each and 14 bags of salt weighing 20kgs each.
Group Village Headman Somisomi, whose real name is Boniface Chisanu, said the disaster has left his subjects in shock as most houses and gardens have been damaged.
He therefore commended World Vision for the timely donation and also warned the beneficiaries against selling the relief items saying it will only fuel hunger in the area.
Presenting the donation, World Vision District Programmes Officer responsible for Chiradzulu and Neno districts, Samson Semu, said his organisation is concerned with the gravity of the damage caused by the disaster hence the timely assistance.
Semu said: “Following tropical cyclone ANA which affected most parts of the southern region, we as an organisation together with our various partners including district councils made an assessment and we found that indeed the gravity of the damage is huge.”
Receiving the donation on behalf of the beneficiaries, Member of Parliament for the area, Mark Katsonga Phiri, who is also the newly appointed minister for Trade and Industry, while expressed gratitude for the donation, said the situation currently is very pathetic.
According to the department of disaster management, as of Friday, February 4, the number of households affected due to the tropical storm ANA was at 193, 558 across the country with a death toll at 38.
