Malawi appeals for humanitarian aid

  1. Posted on Tuesday 22 December 2009 - 17:00
    Sanday
    Image of Sanday
    Sanday Chongo Kabange AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia
    Malawian authorities are appealing to the international community to come to its aid following a powerful earthquake which left at least three people dead and several houses damaged. Malawi is said to be prone to earthquakes and government has proposed to reallocate displaced people to other less prone areas.
    malawi map
    Lilian Ng'oma, the Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs said from northern Malawi that the situation was "pathetic and sad," with thousands of homes uninhabitable following Sunday's 6.0-magnitude quake in the Karonga district.

    The Malawi Red Cross Society and Ng'oma's department have provided some tents, but local official Gasten Macheka say many more are needed.

    Macheka said 1,111 houses were destroyed by the quake and more than 3,565 were damaged and may collapse.