Speaking in Blantyre on Friday when Standard Bank donated items worth about K20 million to Chikwawa flood survivors, DoDMA Commissioner Charles Kalemba said it is worrisome that although there is now a lot of technologies and more knowledge, the country is still subjected to low quality infrastructure as compared to the ones done before the multiparty era.

Kalemba is of the view that home grown solutions are needed to manage disasters in the country.

“Before the country attained the multiparty democracy, rivers in flood prone areas were dredged every year and that most buildings were resilient unlike now when we have knowledge and technology to do better,” complained Kalemba

He added that with the continuous cyclones that Malawi is experiencing, there is need for the use of both indigenous knowledge and technocrats’ expertise to build standard infrastructure including roads.

Country Director for CARE Malawi International Amos Zaindi has asked the government to demonstrate political will to urgently relocate to upper areas all people living in flood prone areas to avoid the perennial displacement of people.

“Apart from the government, the citizens should also show the will to stay in safer places,” said Zaindi.

The two were speaking this in Blantyre on Friday when the standard bank donated food and non-food items to support over 1, 000 flood survivors at Chapomoka village in the area of Ngabu in Chikwawa.

The Bank’ Head of Engineering William Nuka said they decided to partner with Care Malawi international to provide necessary support to the flood survivors.

“We felt obliged to help our friends that were affected by floods in order to alleviate their suffering. The donation came from the bank and employees.

“As a bank, we survive because of the people and we have to render assistance to all citizens regardless of the location,” said Nuka.