FDH Bank, in partnership with Youth Net and Counseling (YONECO), have made a generous donation to victims of Cyclone Freddy who are currently seeking refuge at United Pentecost Church camp in Zomba.
The camp, which is currently home to 92 families and over 395 individuals, received a variety of much-needed supplies, including blankets, soya pieces, flour, chlorine for water treatment, and water buckets.
FDH Bank’s branch manager for Zomba, Julia Mvula, explained that the bank had set aside K100 million to assist cyclone victims throughout the country. Mvula emphasized that as a bank, FDH prioritizes sustainability and providing value to the communities in which it operates.
“Some of these people are our customers, others are our staff members, so we believe we need to be sustainable and to add value in the environment in which we operate,” she said.
YONECO Executive Director McBen Kandawire praised the coordination between his organization and FDH Bank, stating that the Department of Disaster and Risk Management alone cannot manage all of the camps.
“DODMA directed us to this camp, and through our partners and other well-wishers, we have donated food and non-food items. For YONECO, we have donated items worth K2 million,” Kandawire said.
One of the camp’s beneficiaries, Julita Mayida, expressed gratitude for the donation but also highlighted the need for more support. Mayida explained that the camp lacks tents, forcing men to sleep outside while women and children sleep inside the small church.
“We are asking well-wishers to help us with tents,” she concluded.
