Across the southern region, temporary camps and shelters have been setup for people displaced from their homes by the cyclone’s destruction. The relief being organized through Flood Church is currently focused most on supporting these camps in districts surrounding Blantyre. We are linking up with community organizers at each camp or community to distributing basic but desperately needed supplies. The basic supplies we are distributing include dry blankets and clothes, sanitary pads, mosquito nets, food, and hygiene packs of soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Food and hygiene supplies will be a continuous need for most of the sites as homes and fields in their communities have been completely destroyed.

Pastor Yami and our leadership team are filtering reports of need and sending surveillance teams to assess each site before we send help or supplies. These teams provide an accurate count of people present, what their actual needs are, and the facilities that are available at each site. Many of the shelters have been setup at primary schools with functional kitchens which enables us to deliver the food in bulk to the organizers at the school to cook for the camp communally while we focus on providing supply packs that meet other needs for individuals and families.

After we have an accurate picture of the situation, relief supplies are sorted, packed, and sent with our incredible team of volunteer 4×4 drivers who deliver even out to the most isolated locations.

Food and hygiene supplies will be a continuous need for most of the sites as homes and fields in their communities have been completely destroyed. We anticipate that the needs will continue to grow as communities look toward rebuilding and surviving the next year with their maize harvests largely destroyed and prospective food supplies very low.