Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential aspirant Paul Gadama has donated assorted items to people affected by Cyclone Freddy in Thyolo, Chiradzulu, Phalombe and Blantyre districts.
Speaking in an interview with Nthanda Times, Gadama said since many people have lost their lives to the raging storm, it is important that politicians must direct their energies towards responding to the needs of the victims.
While acknowledging the role the government has taken to alleviate suffering among the victims, the presidential aspirant urged Malawians to do their part by “helping those people who are in hopeless situations not because of their plan, but due to natural disaster”.
Gadama appealed to international organizations to come and help Malawi in this tragic situation.
He also urged the government to introduce a risk management plan and response since disasters have been happening frequently which can help to respond to natural disasters on time.
Gadama further advised politicians not to politicise anything because the problem which the nation has faced, the government has taken it as a disaster and is responding to it as a disaster and every citizen has a responsibility to help the people who are affected by the cyclone.
He said, “I don’t believe my candidature in the DPP is totally different from helping people because my main interest is to help the people in the nation not in region, district, community but the nation at large.”
Gadama donated maize flour, buckets, blankets, plastic papers and other items in Thyolo, Chiradzulu, Phalombe and Blantyre and some parts of the central region respectively.
Cyclone Freddy which originated from Madagascar claimed more than 200 people in the country and many have been sustained injuries, livestock, crops and houses have been washed away in the district of Phalombe, Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Thyolo, Mwanza, Mulanje, Mangochi, Chikwawa and Zomba Urban.
President Lazarus Chakwera declared a state of emergency on his arrival from the least developing countries summit in Qatar on Monday.