Amref in MK61million emergency response project in Chikwawa

One of the health development international organizations, Amref Health Africa has disclosed that it will be pumping in about K61 million in response to the March 2019 devastating floods in the district.

The money is half of the total sum approximately K122 million whereas the other half has been allocated to Zomba district.

The organization’s WASH Manager, Young Samanyika made the remarks Wednesday during a presentation when his organization engaged Chikwawa District Civil Protection Committee (DCPC), District Health Management Team (DHMT) as well as members from health, WASH and Nutrition Cluster.

He said concerned by the March devastating floods and the impact of Idai in some parts of the country, Amref Health Africa sourced some funds that will go towards contribution to the emergency response.

“As an organization we believe that the disaster disrupted service delivery as well as causing suffering among people.

“We are sure of the challenges such as shelter, food, water, sanitation and hygiene, risk to outbreak as well as disruption to health and other social services,” he said

Samanyika further said Amref managed to secure £150,000 (approximately K122 million) to be used in the emergency response for the two districts of Chikwawa and Zomba.

The organization in Chikwawa intends to implement the six months emergency response project at Nchalo which will see it supporting most camps and affected communities surrounding St Montfort Hospital.

“Through the project, we hope to strengthen WASH services at evacuation camps by among other things recruiting and train volunteers to support WASH activities.

“We shall also facilitate promotion of hygiene through hand washing with soap, waste disposal, food as well as menstrual hygiene,” he stated
He further said the project intends to achieve promotion of management, prevention and control of WASH related and other communicable diseases on top of ensuring coordination and strengthening capacity of health and extension workers in provision of emergency services.

This article was first published by Shire Valley Online publication