News In Southern Region (3211)
Stakeholders Call for Heavy Investment in Irrigation Farming
Irrigation farmers in the area of group village headmen Mangamba and Ngongonda in Machinga say they expect improved crop yields from their winter cropping this year.
MUST Embarks on Maize Flour, Chicken, Ornamental Production
The Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) said it is set to start production of nutritious maize flour from next week.
BT Synod Urges Faithful to Pray for Biennial Conference
The CCAP Blantyre Synod has called upon its faithful to remain steadfast in prayer to ensure free, fair, transparent and accountable elections for the synod.
Maranatha Academy Awards 4 Best PSLCE Learners
Maranatha Academy says it will award four learners who have emerged first and second best in the just released Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examination results.
Thyolo People Eating Bitter Maize from Chikwawa Markets
People from the area of senior chief Mphuka in Thyolo, bordering with Chikwawa-East bank claim that they are buying bitter maize in Livunzu and Mkhathe markets due to severe hunger.
MUST Wins Again at Regional Cyber Challenge
A Computer Systems and Security team, Cyber Knights at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) has once again emerged champions at a Southern Africa regional cyber security competition involving universities in the region at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
Thyolo Man Dies After Taking Beer
A 45-year old man, Samuel Mapondo from Katundu village, senior chief Chimaliro in Thyolo has died after drinking beer on empty stomach.
Bengolnet Installs Free Wi-Fi at Sunnyside
Internet service provider, Bengolnet Ltd, has installed free Wi-Fi at Sunnyside township where the company is premised in Blantyre.
DoDMA Keen on Bridging Disaster Preparedness Gaps
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has admitted gaps on disaster preparedness, saying the focus has mostly been on response.
Reverend Moses Chimphepo, DoDMA Director of Response and Recovery, told Zodiak Online Thursday this has resulted in huge losses to lives and property.
Reverend Chimphepo said; “As a department we want to minimize such losses. Disasters in Malawi are usually weather related. The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological issues alerts of imminent disasters, as a result of normal to above normal rainfall”.
“As a department we need to engage an extra gear, and all the humanitarian partners we should come together and prepare. Preparedness helps us to put everything in order, both logistically and also trying to save lives,” explained Reverend Chimphepo.
He added; “The setting up of early warning systems helps to save lives. It is a very critical area, but we have focused more on providing response when we are already hit. As a department, we want to prepare adequately, so that when we are hit the loss and damages, especially to lives should be very minimal”.
He further described the simulation exercise as critical, in preparedness processes.
Julie Vander Wiel-Hakme, WFP Head of Supply Chain, said the exercise was meant to build the national capacity for disaster preparedness and response targeting those who will respond to emergencies.
“We have involved government partners, NGO partners, and district council officials focusing on nitty-gritties of the core skills that they need to respond”.
He added; “We can all do better, there is always room for improvement. We have learnt a lot over the last cyclone Freddy response cycle. We had a review just last week, where we looked at tangible actions, and have been applied during the training”.
The World Food Program and the government built a Humanitarian Staging Area (HAS) at Bangula following tropical cyclone Freddy Idai in 2019.
Statistics indicate that tropical cyclone Freddy which hit the southern part of the country early this year, claimed over 1000 lives and half a million were displaced.
Cyclone Freddy Blamed for 27 Percent Crime Increase in South East Police Region
Commissioner for South East Police Region, Chikondi Chingadza has attributed the region's bi-annual 27 percent increase in crime to the people's vulnerability caused by Cyclone Freddy.
