America Malawi Relief Initiative Organization (AMRIO) January 26, 2015 The southern African nation of Malawi has been terribly affected by a major flood that began on January 13, 2015. The official death toll from flooding, which has affected much of the country but has had its strongest impacts in the southern areas of the country, as well as the northernmost provinces, stood at 200 on January 21, but the continued rising waters and washed away villages are expected to yield more deaths once rescue efforts are more complete. Some 27,000 households have been destroyed with 200,000 residents of the impoverished nation forced from their homes. A group of concerned members of the Malawian diaspora, many of whom reside in South Bend, Indiana, and the surrounding Michiana area, gathered with members of the local community to try to coordinate efforts at relief and raising awareness about the needs. The America Malawi Relief Initiative (AMRIO) organization was created to provide a safe and effective means for donations to be received and transmitted to effective organizations that are working in Malawi on emergency relief and rebuilding. Malawi is a country of just over 16 million people. It is a poor country, with a large dependency on agriculture, much of which has been seriously affected by the disaster. The country has a stable democratically elected government, but like many relatively new Republics is fragile. Aid that AMRIO collects will be provided to non-governmental organizations that are already in Malawi, assisting in the emergency relief, as well as to organizations that will help rebuild following the initial stages of the disaster. Since its rainy season in Malawi fear is that a potential disease outbreak may follow posing greater risks of Malaria, Dysentery, Cholera and other water borne diseases. A total of 442 community based child centers were severely damaged and closed affecting more than 28,000 children. 234 schools were submerged and others collapsed due to strong winds. A total of 181 schools were closed and turned into temporary relief camps to accommodate thousands of displaced people. Learning has been severely impacted by this disaster. There are several accredited Non-governmental organizations that are actively working on the ground under the monitoring of the Department of Disaster Management Affairs.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 14:20:27 +0000
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