By Rogers Siula:
Regular routines have paused for hundreds of families in Nkhotakota in central Malawi, affected by heavy rains and severe flooding in February and March this year, which impacted 92,000 people.
The floods left large parts of the lakeshore district beset with rugged roads, gullies and waterlogged places.
Homes were damaged and rendered uninhabitable, while some schools were turned into emergency shelters within days.
The floods submerged farming fields and washed away crops, adversely impacting the country’s food security.
“The humanitarian support is ongoing in Nkhotakota. However, part of the road network is inaccessible to vehicles, hindering access to essential services and the delivery of supplies such as food, fuel and medicines for the displaced communities,” George Zibophe, acting Disaster Risk Management Officer at Nkhotakota District Council, says.
Zibophe’s sentiments are further underscored by the swelling waters of Lake Malawi, which cut off an area called Chauma, turning it into an island.
A journey to Chauma from Dwangwa Estate now takes one hour courtesy of an engine-powered boat – instrumental in delivering humanitarian response supplies to the new island.
Maureen Chirwa, a 14-year-old learner at Chauma Primary School, rides a canoe every day to access education. She laments how floods have made it difficult for her to attend school.
“Floods swept away our house. We could not go to school for some days. Our school block and toilets were also destroyed.
“Currently my classmates and I use the local boat to get to school. We paddle these canoes manually. There is no adult to assist us, so we often arrive late,” Maureen narrates.
Her determination, however, is a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.
Statistics from Nkhotakota District indicate that 22 primary schools and two secondary schools were affected by the floods.
At least 12 schools were used as camps, with 44 classrooms occupied by displaced people.
The impact on the education sector left 18,797 learners, including 109 with various disabilities, unable to access learning.
To limit the floods’ impact on children’s education, the Malawi Government’s emergency response, supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), quickly provided essential education and water, sanitation, and hygiene (Wash) supplies to restore learning for children in the 22 affected schools.
Headteacher of Chauma Primary School, Dustain Kwacha, applauds humanitarian response efforts that have revamped learning and ensured access to clean water and improved sanitation in the schools.
“We now have a marquee which has provided a new lease of life, as learners now enjoy uninterrupted classes in this tent since the old school block’s roof was blown off.
“We also received teaching and learning materials. We are in a better situation; we have hope that things will return to normal. It has been a tough experience,” Kwacha says.
He adds that the water and hygiene supplies they received have mitigated outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
With Unicef support, the Malawi Government’s Ministry of Health is also conducting outreach clinics to provide access to primary healthcare services to displaced communities to protect their wellbeing and the survival of children.
The education, Wash, and health support to affected communities were made possible with funding from the governments of Norway and Canada, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, and Unicef.
