Adra gives cash to flood victims
The Adventist Development Relief Agency (Adra) on Tuesday joined scores of government departments and organisations who are reaching out to the 17,000 people affected by flash floods in Mzuzu.
Speaking when he presented cash gifts to the 150 affected households at Mzuzu Stadium, Adra Deputy Country Director, Micheal Usi, said they decided to come in differently to console the victims after realising that benefactors may not be able to identify all needs of the people, hence the money would cater for the shortfalls.
Usi said donations should also target their psychological and spiritual well-being arguing victims of calamities of such vast magnitude go through devastating emotions and it takes time for them to heal.
“This is just one of the options which I think is relevant in this kind of situation, this option is so much in line with development because we can’t identify every other gap so with cash they are given chance to plan,” said Usi.
He further advised against those using the disaster in order to gain political mileage, arguing it is unethical to capitalise on people’s misfortune.
According to Usi the organisation has spent about K1 million to reach out to the 150 households most of which are headed by children, people with physical disabilities, the elderly, widows and widowers.
Mzuzu Deputy Mayor Councillor Fraser Chunga expressed gratitude to Adra for the monitory consideration saying it leaves remarkable footprints in the hearts of the recipients since it has been an oversight on the part of most stakeholders.
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