Phalombe, June 4, Mana: Habitat for humanity has donated shelter materials to 430 Cyclone Freddy survivors’ households from Traditional Authority Jenala in Phalombe district to help them construct temporary houses.

The materials donated include timber, robes, hammers, panga knives, hoes, blankets, shovels, nails, tents among others amounting to K160 million.

Speaking in an interview on Saturday  during the donation, the organization’s Country Director Anock Kapila said shelter was the worst affected sector during cyclone Freddy and the donation is one way of fulfilling the organization's vision of providing decent house to everyone.

He explained: " We are going to teach them how to construct temporary houses using the materials provided and also how to construct better houses when they have resources to reconstruct their houses."

Speaking earlier, Director of Planning and Development for Phalombe Kelvin Harawa thanked the organisation for the timely assistance saying this will go a long to assist survivors whose houses were destroyed.

He added that in the meantime, Phalombe Council is appealing to  well-wishers to continue supporting the district for resilience in all sectors of education, health, agriculture, housing among others.

“Crops were washed away during Cyclone Freddy and this affected nutrition status of the affected population. Further, school enrollment has also been affected,” he added.

Harawa then asked the beneficiaries to use the materials received for intended purpose saying once found selling, the law will take its course.

He said, "whether you are going to sell in Limbe, we are going to trace you with assistance from police."

One of the beneficiaries Enifa Basikolo thanked the organisation for the assistance saying she has been staying with relatives in a kitchen together with her three children since Cyclone Freddy started and the materials will help her to relocate. 

Mana/ll/tv/scm