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Partners Worried Over Malosa Forest Depletion

Phiri (left) hands over part of the donations Phiri (left) hands over part of the donations - pic by Eamon Piringu

A local non-governmental organisation, Development Concept has called for an urgent need to replant trees in Zomba-Malosa forest reserve to reduce effects of natural disasters to surrounding communities.

Executive Director for Development Concept, Chipiliro Phiri says his organisation is concerned with the impact of the Cyclone Freddy to the areas where his organisation operates, adding that they will provide tree seedlings and potato vines that will mitigate hunger threats to the affected people.

He spoke today after bailing out 200 Cyclone Freddy survivors from the areas of Traditional Authority Nkula in Machinga with assorted relief items worth K10 million with support from Egmont Trust.

"Our organization is committed to provide both long term and short term interventions to the damage caused in this area, that is why we opted to respond to the effects of Cyclone Freddy to these people," said Phiri.

One survivor, Vanessa Mpanga has hailed the organization for timely response, saying she has not eaten for two days now.

Meanwhile, Traditional Authority Nkula has revealed they are facing challenges to deal with charcoal production in the forest due to lack of support from district authorities, which has fuelled run-off flooding in his area. 

The chief, however, has commended the organization for donations to his people, hence calling on others to emulate the gesture.

"It's sad that we are facing effects of natural disasters due to our own failure to take care of surrounding environment, as some members of the community are produced charcoal without certification, and that is chocking our efforts," said Nkula.

"Unfortunately authorities have been neglecting this area too, as they say they are lacking resources," he lamented.

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