- March 18, 2023
- Posted by: admin
- Category: RFA News
On Saturday 18 March 2023, the Roads Fund Administration Board Chairman, Mr. Matthews Chikankheni presented various relief items amounting to MK20million to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA). The donation was towards the affected persons of Cyclone Freddy and was held at WFP warehouses in Limbe, Blantyre.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Mr Chikankheni said “the RFA is responding towards the Government of Malawi’s call to support the affected persons of cyclone Freddy. We are aware of the magnitude of the disaster which has resulted in significant loss of lives and property. We know many people have been displaced and rendered destitute.”
“We at the RFA felt that we should utilize some funds under the corporate social responsibility budget to procure some needed relief items which we have just donated today to alleviate the suffering of those that have been impacted by the cyclone” said Mr Chikankheni.
He called upon other corporate citizens and the public to donate both food and nonfood items in-order to support the affected persons.
In his response, the Deputy Director of Disaster Management Mr. Fedson Chikuse thanked the RFA for timely responding to the government call.
“We are overwhelmed with the extent and impact of the cyclone. We were prepared to respond to the cyclone which we felt would mostly affect the lower shire. However we are talking of 10 districts in the southern region affected with over 438 people dead, 202 people missing, 7,952 households displaced rendering over 350,000 homeless without access to food and health. We need a lot of relief items to meet the people’s needs.”
The deputy director applauded the RFA for timely responding to the disaster and called upon other partners to emulate the RFA in donating towards this cause.
“DODMA is just a coordinating body and will ensure that all the victims are reached with assistance. Let me assure all donors that all the donations will go direct to meet the needs of the victims. We will soon publish all the relief items received.” Said Mr Chikuse.
The RFA has donated 2,200 blankets, 1,500 20ltr plastic pails, 2,500 plastic cups and 2,500 plastic plates amounting to MK20million.
