CADECOM, Trocaire Support Flood-Affected Households in Machinga

The Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM), with support from Trocaire, has provided financial assistance to flood-affected households in Machinga District.

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Zomba, Rt. Rev. Alfred Mateyu Chaima, presided over the symbolic distribution of the cash assistance to selected beneficiaries at a function held at Traditional Authority (TA) Chamba's headquarters in the district.

In his speech, Bishop Chaima commended Trocaire for its continued support to vulnerable communities through the Catholic Church in Malawi.

Bishop Chaima said the Church's mission goes beyond addressing the spiritual needs of people, saying that it also responds to social and humanitarian challenges affecting communities. 

He urged beneficiaries to use the assistance responsibly and encouraged communities to cultivate a culture of supporting one another rather, rather than relying solely on external aid.

On environmental conservation, Bishop Chaima called on the people to protect natural resources, particularly trees, saying environmental degradation contributes to climate change-induced disasters such as floods.

Addressing the gathering, Traditional Authority Chamba commended the Catholic Church for implementing various development projects in his area aimed at improving the lives of local communities.

A total of 1,368 households have benefit from the cash distribution programme under the Lean Season Emergency Response Project, receiving MK100,000 each to support their recovery from the effects of floods in the areas of Traditional Authorities Chamba, Mposa, Nyumwanyumwa, Ngulumiya, Nkula and Sitola.

One of the beneficiaries, Elizabeth Mwadziwa from Malenga Village, expressed gratitude for the support, saying that it has come at a right time as she continues to rebuild her life following the disaster.

The beneficiaries were identified through records provided by the District Disaster Risk Management Office in Machinga, which documented households affected by the recent floods in the district.