Mothers at Naotcha camp in Blantyre, Malawi, are expressing concern over the safety of their daughters as some girls are reportedly sneaking out of the flood survivor camps at night and returning the following morning. The mothers fear that the girls could be at risk of exploitation.

Pilirani Verifaye, a woman at the camp, expressed concern over one girl who ran away from the classroom where they were seeking refuge. Verifaye is urging the government and development partners to be swift in supporting them to rebuild their homes so that the children and girls can be fully protected in their homes.

In response to the situation, the Malawi Police Service (MPS) is beefing up security in all the camps. The MPS Director of Community Policing and Rural Police Units, Assistant Commissioner Alex Simenti, has asked all flood survivors to report any abuses and security threats to authorities within the camps.

The flooding in Malawi has left many displaced and in need of assistance.