The National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (NONM) has donated assorted relief items to survivors of cyclone Ana and subsequent floods and heavy rains in Chikwawa district.

In an interview at the distribution of the items on Tuesday at Kanthema campsite, NONM south west zone chairperson, Duncan Kwaitana, said he is very delighted for the overwhelming response from nurses and midwives to the call for support.

He said: “As nurses and midwives, you know our role is to care for patients in the hospital. This is our trademark; this is what we are known for. But then when we heard about this disaster it also affected us because some of these people are our relatives, some of them are our clients and patients so we also felt the need to help.”

“And then what we did as an organization, we mobilized nurses and midwives across the country; to say whosoever has anything that they can assist with, should do so. So, there was indeed an overwhelming response, I have to admit, and I extend gratitude to the nurses across the country for the support,” he added.

The chairperson for the campsite, Patrick Mbasunga, said they are very happy that the help has come at the right time.

He said: “We are very happy with the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi, who have given us these relief items in response to the effects of cyclone ana. People of this area, Kanthema, still have no place to stay until today because the floods were devastating; people’s houses were washed away.”

“We also continue to appeal for support if there are still more well-wishers; they should continue helping us, people of kanthema, so that we may have healthy lives.” 

The items donated include second hand clothes, soap, sugar and soya pieces.

According to a report by DoDMA, as at March 29, 2022, close to 869, 000 people have been affected, at least 70, 000 displaced and 650 injured while 50 have been reported dead and three missing.