MAM Helps Government, Distributes Relief Items to Over 3500 Families
In answering President’s call for assistance towards the people who were affected by the 2017 floods in some parts of the country, the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) has started helping Malawi government through the distribution of staple food (Maize) to people who were displaced by floods in Chikwawa, Machinga and Salima districts respectively. The religious organisation has so far reached 3500 families who are camping in tents from the three Districts The February 2017 heavy rains left over 16000 families homeless and in dire need of food and other basic necessities in some parts of the country.
The President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika then called on all people of good will like the Non-governmental organisations, faith based organisations and other corporate partners to prove whatever assistance they may have to the affected people through ought the country.
With funding from Kuwait-based Revival of Islamic Heritage – African Continent Committee, The organisation has been able to continue sharing its food items since 2015 when Malawi experienced flooding where many people lost their lives, infrastructure as well and live stocks. The organisation has the mandate of helping its people regardless of the faith, at the same time, it also helps government in its effort to bail out people who are suffering with any catastrophe.
According to the Secretary General Alhajj Twaibu Lawe “It is our responsibility to help the people of Malawi who are facing different challenges without looking at their faith, People may have different beliefs but we are all humans before God the creator.
“We are aware that Government is trying but we know that it can not do it alone, hence, we needed to come in as a local Organisation to complement what government is doing.”
Before the distribution took place, in his welcoming remarks, Traditional Authority Pemba thanked MAM for the assisting them with relief food the TA also asked for further support as people will not harvest due to the disaster.
“We are very grateful to MAM for the bags of maize loaded in the truck in front of us these bags of maize will be offloaded and distributed to our people who have been affected by the floods, let me also appeal to others to follow suit in helping those in need of such assistance elsewhere.”
A representative from the office of the District Commissioner a mr Saini John who is also a member of District Civil Protection Committee (DCPC), thanked MAM for the gesture. He however complained that their efforts to avoid catastrophic situations have been meeting alot of challenges including lack of fuel for mobility.
Our office has been asking people especially those who are in the shores of the lake to relocate but this has not been easy. He has been doing elsewhere like Chikwawa and Machinga, the Chaiman of Muslim Association symbolically distributed few bags of maize in Salima and he also donated MK200,000 for the office of the District Civil Protection Committee for their fuel.”
