COOPI rescues over 17,000 flood victims in MH, SA

An international Non-Governmental Organisation, (COOPI) has emphasized the need to empower civil protection committees for them to manage disasters effectively.

COOPI has made the emphasis in Mangochi as it will be implementing the early recovery assistance to flood affected and disaster risk management empowerment of vulnerable communities’ project in the district and Salima.

Speaking on the sidelines of a three–day training for Mangochi District Civil Protection Committee, COOPI’s Project Manager and Assistant Head of Mission, Silvia Reitano said at least 17,700 people from Mangochi and Salima stand to benefit from the programme.

” Let me assure Malawi that COOPI will continue to mobilize resources for supporting district councils which were severely affected by floods at the onset of rains early this year,” Reitano stressed.

In her remarks, assistant disaster risk reduction officer for Mangochi, Carol Chabwera commended COOPI for strengthening capacity of the district’s civil protection committee, saying the council’s vulnerability to disasters especially floods required vigilance.

The project has been financially supported by European Commission for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection.

In Mangochi three T/As namely Chimwala, Mponda and Nankumba will benefit from the initiative.