3. - usaid
3. - usaid
3. - usaid
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
MALAWI<br />
CHARAmSTICS OF THE DISASER<br />
m: Floods<br />
DATECTIME: January 1969<br />
LOCATION:<br />
Shire FUver Valley<br />
D I S m VICTIMS: No. Haneless<br />
2,300<br />
DESCRIPTION OF ?HE DISASTER:<br />
Severe and repeated cloud-bursts in the Blantyre/Cholo which cam down the<br />
tributaries of the Shire River caused sudden floods, covering the countryside<br />
around. This problem exists to some extent every year and villagers<br />
expect it to happen. ?hose who plant along the river bank or in floodflats<br />
take a risk. ?his year, hcrwever, the floods were more severe and<br />
submerged houses normally safely above the flood line and destroyed about<br />
1,300 small farms. Numerous hms were destroyed and m y others were<br />
unfit for habitation.<br />
ACTIm TAKEN BY ?HE GOVEHNlJlEUT OF MALAWI AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS<br />
The Social Welfare Department, Police, Young Pioneers and the Christian<br />
Service Carmittee of the Churches of Malawi prwided coordinate relief<br />
action. The whole operation was accordfng to a plan mde by the Operations<br />
Rmnittee and ran very smoothly. Many difficulties were encountered and<br />
supplies had to be camled across the swollen Mwampanzi FUver, which at<br />
me time was flowing shoulder high.<br />
An advance team of police and pioneers informed stricken villagers to be<br />
ready. Rrergency supplies were taken to a central spot and the Christian<br />
Service Carmittee distribution team, assisted by the pioneers, gave out<br />
supplies according to the lists supplied. The Inaccessible villages on<br />
the East Bank caused greater problems, but assistance was provided by<br />
police mobile units and volunteers.<br />
P. L. 480 food was diverted through Church World Semrice to the Wistian<br />
Service Carmittee for relief operations as follows:
Change language