By Memory Chatonda:
Malawis Vice President Saulos Chilima has advised the general public to take part in restoring and protecting the environment in order to avert future disasters.
Chilima made the call on Wednesday after cheering survivors of Tropical Cyclone Freddy at St Jones Primary school in the area of Traditional Authority Lundu and Matope camps at Ndirande Safarao in Blantyre.
Addressing the gathering at Matope camp, Chilima said: “Decades ago, when I was living here in Blantyre; Ndirande, Soche, Chilomoni, Mpingwe and Michiri hills were fully covered with forest but today, these hills are bare. That is why we are experiencing such disasters that are claiming lives and destroying property each passing year.
“It is therefore my plea to those that have survived the devastating cyclone Freddy to begin planning for a better future now by taking a step to restore the environment”.
Chilima also advised Malawians to follow the laws on settlement patterns as guided by relevant authorities rather than politicizing everything.
The Vice President said government through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs would do everything possible to continue supporting the affected households with basic needs.
He, therefore, commended different stakeholders including non-governmental organisations and individuals for rendering a helping hand to the survivors of Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
Chilima, however, cautioned people involved in the distribution of the relief items to make sure that the donated food and non-food items reach the intended beneficiaries.
Blantyre City Council Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Chinseu commended the Vice President for cheering the survivors, describing the gesture as a sign of love and care towards the affected people.
He also joined the Vice President in expressing gratitude to well-wishers who supported the survivors with immediate needs.
