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lan International Malawi has said it is conducting need assessments in Cyclone Freddy worst-hit districts for effective response.

Speaking at the weekend in Mulanje, Plan International Malawi regional manager for South Chris Katutu said although information collection has been a challenge due to the impact of the cyclone, local organisations are banking on the data for effective action.

He said: “Plan International Malawi has been supporting the verification of the number of people in camps.

“This exercise is very key since the collected data is used by various agencies for fundraising and organising support in terms of food and non-food items to the affected people.”

Katutu: Data will be used by various agencies

Katutu said they are working alongside the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) to reach out to all survivors’ camps to collect the data.

Meanwhile, Plan International Malawi is providing non-food items such as chlorine, buckets, clothes, dignity kits and general camp management kits to support the survivors’ stay in the camps around Mulanje and other affected districts.

Katutu said although they have been distributing these relief items, the demand is too high.

“We expect to start providing support around water and sanitation, health and protection of children and women. We are also in the process of looking for more funding from various donors across the world.

“We will continue providing food and non-food items to victims in the affected districts in the Southern Region,” he said.

In Mulanje, Dodma reports that 135 people have died, 155  are missing and 8 303 households have been displaced in the districts.

The Malawi Defence Force has been leading the emergency search and rescue teams in the 10 hard-hit districts.

The post Plan Malawi says data key for cyclone aid response first appeared on The Nation Online.