Nchalo General Manager Ricky Pillay (centre in picture) said the donation was its way of helping to alleviate the suffering of people around Illovo’s estate at a time of extreme food scarcity in the country.
“Our decision was guided by a sense of duty and compassion for our fellow Malawians - we recognise that access to basic necessities such as food is a fundamental human right, and it is incumbent upon us as a business to play our part in helping others from going hungry,” said Ricky.
He further assured the residents of Paramount Chief Lundu’s community and the wider Chikwawa district of continued support that Illovo stood in solidarity of its people, as it did previously when the District was hit recently by the devastating twin Cyclones Ana and Freddy.
“We would like to reiterate our commitment to extend a hand of support to the communities in times of need. As our purpose states we are committed to the creation of Thriving Malawian Communities wherever we exist.” In his remarks, Paramount Chief Lundu commended Illovo, saying his subjects were in dire need of food. He said he would ensure that there is transparency in the distribution exercise.
And at Dwangwa, communities in Nkhotakota district under Senior Chief Kanyenda XIV hailed the continued support from Illovo after the area was devastated by the floods in February this year, leading to the deaths of seven people with serious damage to property, infrastructure, and crops including rice and Illovo’s sugarcane farmlands.
“When the Dwangwa river flooded, our village was surrounded by water.” Recalls Merina Chiona a mother of three children from Simiyoni village who is now residing at Ngala Lakeland School camp:
“I carried my 10-year-old child on my shoulder as I was walking through the water which was above my chest trying to get to a safe place. Then, the community rescue team helped us to reach higher ground but was also not safe. At that point Illovo’s rescue team came to our assistance and ferried us to a safe place where we stayed for a short while before moving to a safer camp,” she said. Merina along with many people similarly affected received 50kgs of maize flour, as part of the 200 metric ton donation made to the affected households.
When making the donation at Ngala Lakeland School camp, McLean Debwe GM at Dwangwa (left in picture), said the donation demonstrated the company’s commitment to creating and sustaining a thriving Dwangwa Community.
“We are delighted to make another step in actually “living” our commitment by donating 4 000 bags of 50Kg to each of the recipients, amounting to 200 metric tons of maize flour distributed to Nkhotakota District,” said McLean.
Before the flood waters receded, the Ngala camp had a population of 3 300 people representing 580 households from Matiki, Ngala and Nyamvuwu areas. These people resided in classroom blocks and teachers houses within the compound of Ngala Lakeland School. According to Nkhotakota District Council Disaster Officer John Manda, following the rising water in lake Malawi, another camp was set up at Chikupweche around Chia Lagoon and was home to about 150 people. Manda said there were a total of 7 800 people affected by floods and many had expressed their appreciation to Illovo for supporting the district council to relocate those affected to Ngala camp.