Malawi - IOM Malawi, with funding from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO), is distributing cash grants this week to complement Malawi Government efforts to support families affected by the 2015 floods.

The cash assistance is targeting 150 internally displaced families (750 people) in the hardest hit districts of Chikwawa, Nsanje, Zomba and Phalombe in Southern Malawi. Each household will get a one-off payment of MWK 93,300 (USD 131).

The most vulnerable households were chosen by the communities with guidance from Malawi’s Disaster Management Affairs Department. They include households headed by the elderly, children, the chronically ill, the disabled and vulnerable single parents.

“With this money I will replace some items that I lost during the floods and also start a fish selling business as an income generating project so I can provide food for my family,” said Bula Bula of Chikwawa in appreciation of the cash she received.

IOM Malawi Officer in Charge Sikhulile Dhlamini said: “We know that people in these communities lost their homes and basic household items during the floods in 2015. We hope that the cash will assist in reducing their vulnerability to illness and other social challenges. IOM will continue to assist them with shelter support and improved sanitation and safe water supply.”

In January 2015, heavy rains affected 15 districts in Malawi resulting in flooding, and caused the displacement of approximately 230,000 people, most of whom were located in the Southern Region districts of Blantyre, Chikwawa, Mulanje, Nsanje, Phalombe, and Zomba.

As of 20 May 2015, approximately 26,100 households – an estimated 107,000 people – remained displaced in the six districts, according to IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) assessments.

The project was implemented in close coordination with the Government of Malawi and local authorities in Chikwawa, Nsanje, Zomba and Phalombe districts.

For further information, please contact Sikhulile Dhlamini at IOM Malawi, Tel:  +265 995 109 889 Email: sidhlamini@iom.int