The senior GVH worried that apart from food, the survivors have also lost  National IDs which are essential to access social services.

"People have lost their IDs since the priority was to save their lives. This is why I have called on authorities to help in replacing them," he said.

The chief made the suggestion on Tuesday when TNM plc made available K20 million relief items such as flour, cooking oil, soya pieces, blankets, sugar and sanitary materials to 400 households at Savala camp which is housing 1, 196 people.

TNM's head of brand and marketing, Madalitso Jonazi said they decided to aid its customers since the company also felt the impact of the cyclone in its network infrastructure.

"These are our customers and obviously with the impact of the cyclone, not just on the people, but some of our sites were also affected. However, our network is very resilient, we are able to overcome the challenges," Jonazi said.

Meanwhile, deputy minister of Local Government, Owen Chomanika has assured that after responding to the life-saving needs of the survivors, government will also consider other lost items like National IDs since they support livelihood.

Chomanika said: "Currently the main agenda is to save lives and secure these people. And the IDs and the rest are just part of what they might need to survive  post cyclone".

Cyclone Freddy has affected 22, 258 households in Chikwawa and according to the District Council many are yet to access the aid.