Evacuation centre to give survivors dignity

Karonga district commissioner Willard Mwambo says the evacuation centre at Chambogho Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Wasambo is expected to accommodate disaster survivors in the district who previously sought refuge in schools and health facilities.

Speaking on Thursday in the area when implementing partners handed over the evacuation centre to the council, the DC said every time floods hit the district, at least 10 000 households are affected and they seek refuge in schools which in turn affects lessons.

“The centre comprises a kitchen, a borehole, eight toilets and bathrooms each for both genders, thereby giving survivors the dignity they deserve,” said Mwambo.

He said that the council will provide technical support to ensure sustainability and continued maintenance of the facility through well trained community structures.

Mwambo (2nd L) being briefed about the project. | Jordan Simeon-Phiri

“I urge community leaders to engage their subjects to plant trees around the structure and to take good care of it,” said Mwambo.

Group village head Mwanyanja said that apart from employing a full time security guard, the community has mobilised resources to fence the evacuation centre.

“However, the challenge is electricity connectivity as the building is yet to be connected to the national grid. We hope the DC will help us expedite the process,” he said.

St. Anne’s Parish Priest Judicial Vicar Father Steven Ulambo of Karonga Diocese of the Catholic Church said they partnered Oxfam in Malawi to construct the facility to accommodate disaster survivors.]

Oxfam in Malawi programmes manager responsible for livelihood resilience Steve Kuliyazi urged the council to integrate the structures into its district development plans.

“Karonga District is prone to disasters. So, Oxfam and other partners mobilised resources to build the structure,” he said.

The facility cost K226 million from the Scottish Government through DAI Global UK, with Karonga Diocese and Oxfam in Malawi as implementing partners under the Climate Just Bridging project

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