Red Cross Donates to Flood Victims

THE Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) has donated assorted relief items worth K292 million to flood victims in Chavuma district in North-Western Province.

ZRCS public relations manager, James Zulu said in Chavuma on Friday that the distribution of the items was made possible with the support of Barclays Bank that gave the society K207 million through the office of the vice-president.

Mr Zulu was happy that no death was recorded but was saddened that the floods had left a trail of destruction in many areas especially west bank which could at one time not be reached as the pontoon operations were suspended.

He said that the floods had destroyed crops and houses leaving many people without food, clothes and shelter hence, the distribution of blankets, mosquito nets, shelter and kitchen kit among relief supplies.

"The other funds for this mission came from Swedish Red Cross and we are thankful that the Government through the office of the vice-president has been helpful in meeting the needs of the flood victims not only here but in Western Province as well," he said.

The Red Cross team visited Lukolwe Mission Rural Health Centre in west bank where blankets and mosquito nets were distributed after the area was cut-off from the central district for three months.

Out of 13 wards in the district, the affected areas in the west bank include Nguvu, Mukhuku, Nyatanda, Nyambingila, Kambuya, Mukelangome, Lukolwe, Musunga, Sanjongo, Mavili, Mandalo, Chambi, Lingundu and Kayinda.

Affected areas in the east bank include Kalombo, Kamisamba, Chavuma central, Chingi, Chinwandumba, Kakhoma and Chiyeke.

According to the March 13, 2009 district disaster report, Chavuma district this year received the highest rainfall since 1954.

The district currently requires 5000 x 50 kilogramme bags of relief food and 40 tents in order to cushion the hunger situation of 33,046 total population whose crops have been destroyed.

Chavuma District Commissioner, Frobisher Fulayi commended the society for the gesture and warned that anyone found diverting the supplies would be dealt with seriously.

Mr Fulayi called on the Government to provide wealther instruments to enable the district send early warning about floods considering that no such instruments currently exist.

International Federation of Red Cross Southern Africa Zone disaster management coordinator, Farid Abdulkadir attributed the continued floods to climate change and called on the locals in Chavuma to start planting more trees.

Mr Abdulkadir said concerted efforts in mitigating the floods was key and called on other companies to emulate Barclays Bank in mobilising funds to assist affected communities throughout the country.

Related terms: africa, bank, crops, flood, food, health, population, public relations