At least 20 000 people who were affected by tropical storm Ana and Gombe are set to return home and the Malawi Red Cross Society has provided them with packages to start life afresh.

The society embarked on distributing the return home packages to flood survivors in Phalombe on Friday.

Dodma principal relief and rehabilitation officer Natasha Bengo distributing the nets

Red Cross says it disperse the packages in three districts at a cost of about K277 million.

Speaking at the start of the exercise, Red Cross secretary general McBain Kanongodza said they are targeting flood survivors in Phalombe, Nsanje and Chikwawa as they were badly affected.

He said: “The materials distributed will help them get prepared to go back to their homes as keeping them in camps is not sustainable and that’s why in conjunction with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs [Dodma], we made sure they get the startups.”

One of the beneficiaries, Victoria Sailesi, 28, from Mara, group village head Njovu in Traditional Authority Jenala in Phalombe thanked Red Cross for the packages.

“I lost everything and the items I have received today will help me to go back home and rebuild. Life in the camp is very hard,” said the mother of three.

In an interview, Dodma director of response and recovery Moses Chimphepo praised the society for quickly responding to governments for support to people who have been affected by tropical storms Ana and Gombe.

He said: “As a department, we are happy that Malawi Red Cross Society responded positively by mobilising resources. The return home package will help the people to go back home and reconstruct their lives.”

The organisation provided the survivors shelter toolkits, sleeping mats, blankets and cooking utensils.

However, it needs about K4.5 billion to reach out to the most vulnerable that will need houses to be built and be supported with cash transfers so that they start businesses or farming.

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