ACT Alert: Severe Flooding in Karonga, Malawi
Pastor Dale Morgan
ACT Alert: Severe Flooding in Karonga, Malawi*
31 Jan 2007 16:07:00 GMT
Source: Action by Churches Together (ACT) - Switzerland
Elisabeth Gouel
Flash floods have left thousands of people homeless and crops washed
away in the Karonga district, about 300 km north of the capital
Lilongwe, Malawi. According to Karonga District Commissioner, more than
20 villages have been completely flattened by the floods.
In Karonga-Nyungwe, an area where ACT member Church of Central Africa
Presbyterian (CCAP) Development Department of Synod of Livingstonia is
present, more than 400 mm to 500 mm of rain fell for 10 hours non-stop
from 22 to 23 January. Rains started at around 9a.m. from the eastern
side to 1p.m. on 22 January. This was followed by a second phase of
heavy downfall from the western side of the area, the Nyika highlands,
causing the highlands to release a heavy flush of water flowing at a
very high speed towards the affected villages. The flash floods have
destroyed crops, houses, bridges and livestock.
A preliminary assessment by the ACT member in the affected villages in
the area - Mchekacheka, Kaswera 1 and 2, Mlongoti, Mdoka, Maulunge and
Masoyafwire - revealed that those whose houses have been destroyed are
now homeless and have lost all their property including food, kitchen
utensils, clothes and blankets.
According to the assessment, the floods have destroyed approximately 77
hectares of maize fields. The floods have also severely damaged rice and
cassava fields. Households in Mchekacheka, for example, have lost
livestock such as chickens, pigs and cattle. It was difficult to have
exact figures from other villages as roads linking to those villages are
not functioning due to broken bridges caused by the floods.
To date, affected families have not received any assistance apart from
their neighbours helping them evacuate. CCAP Development Department of
Synod of Livingstonia intends to accompany the affected families in this
time through the provision of food, inputs to replace the lost crops,
shelter and kitchen utensils.
CCAP Development Department of Synod of Livingstonia is further
assessing the needs following the flood and has indicated that a Rapid
Response Fund request may be submitted within the next few days.
ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to
save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT
Coordinating Office is based with the The Lutheran World Federation
(LWF) in Switzerland.