World Vision continues to respond to earthquakes in Karonga District, northern Malawi.
World Vision Malawi immediately dispatched an assessment team to the country's northern district of Karonga following a sequence of stronger earthquakes ranging between 5.4 and 6.2 on the Richter scale from 6th to 20th December 2009. The earthquakes killed four people and injured almost 200 others. Assessments were conducted with Government representatives from Karonga District Assembly between 22nd to 24th December focusing on Nkhando zone which has been assigned to World Vision Malawi as a lead agency in the earthquakes response.
The Malawi Government declared Karonga a National Disaster Area on 21st December. Meanwhile, US geologists are currently in Karonga to help determine further threats of the earthquake.
More than 31,220 people have had their housing partially or completely destroyed by the earthquakes. Approximately 5,000 households still remain in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
World Vision is working in collaboration with Government, UN agencies and NGO partners in its response to the earthquakes. The disaster has not directly affected any of World Vision's ADPs; however the organisation has been requested by the Government of Malawi to lead coordination of Nkhando zone, one of five designated humanitarian emergency zones established on 22 December in Karonga District.
According to recent assessments made in Nkhando zone, the area has a population of 10,989 people with two Group Village Heads in Kalambo and Mweninguwe.
To date, World Vision has provided 500 long lasting mosquito bed nets and 186 water guard units to under five children and pregnant mothers, amongst other urgent relief items. World Vision has also distributed assorted supplies from Karonga District Assembly, including: 70 rolls of plastic sheets, 12 Bails of Sugar, 60 packets of Plumpy nuts, 30 packets of Salt,, 80 packets of likuni phala, 80 tins of baked beans, 120 packets of Corn meal and 220 survival kits each containing 2 Mosquito nets 2 blankets, 2 Tarpaulins, 4 Bars of Soap, 4 Steel cups, 4 Steel plates, 12 Steel teaspoons and 1 Steel table Spoon. Beneficiaries of these items include the elderly, physically challenged, chronically Ill, child headed household, poorest household and orphan adopted household.