31 Mar 2019

Botswana on March 29 extended its support and goodwill to Cyclone Idai victims in Malawi through a donation of food and blankets.

The donation, which was handed by Botswana high commissioner to Malawi, Retired Lt Gen. Matshwenyego Fisher, comprised a tonne of canned beef, 10 tonnes of Tsabana (infant porridge), four tonnes of beans and 500 blankets. 

Lt Gen. Fisher said Batswana, whose donation he said came from the bottom of their hearts, were moved by the fact that the cyclone ranked as the worst to hit the region in decades, had destroyed the equilibrium of the people’s everyday lives.

The commissioner said the food aid might not mitigate all the ravages of the disaster, but it was not so much the volume, but the spirit behind the assistance that mattered. “As you say in Malawi, pangono-pangono or bit by bit, I have an honour to hand over this donation, with love from the President and people of Botswana,” he said.

Lt Gen. Fisher meanwhile urged other nations in the region to assist those affected, saying it was critical for countries in the region to assist a brother in the hour of desperate need.

On behalf of Malawian government, Ministry of Homeland Secretary and Commissioner of Disaster Management Affairs Mr Wilson Moleni described the gesture as a practical demonstration of brotherhood. He said the donation would go a long way in addressing some of the challenges faced by the survivors of the disaster, which had so far claimed 60 lives, left 193 000 households and over 868 000 individuals affected. He explained the survivors had either lost a relative, someone was injured or their property, particularly houses destroyed by the floods.

Mr Moleni said the food aid offered some critical items needed by the victims, adding that it also reduced the K30 million food deficit substantially. “We cannot take this assistance for granted. It is heartwarming to see a brother extend a hand to us in a situation like this. This will put a smile on the faces of those affected,” he told BOPA in an interview.

He shared that President Professor Arthur Mutharika declared a state of national disaster for those affected on March 8. He said President Mutharika made a K45 Million appeal to friends, partners and international organisations to meet the needs of those affected for three months, adding the impact was beyond Malawi’s capacity to respond. He said K14 Million had so far been pledged and Botswana would reduce the K30 Million deficit they faced.

The African regional delegate to SADC and COMESA Secretariat Dr Leopold Ngomo encouraged member States to generously contribute to the on-going relief efforts and thanked countries and partners that had rendered assistance to three affected countries, others being Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Ends