By Rahim Abdul
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has received K5 billion from the Ministry of Finance to support the government’s ongoing operation to bring home Malawians fleeing xenophobic violence in South Africa.
DoDMA Commissioner Wilson Moleni disclosed the development while providing an update on the progress of the nationwide repatriation exercise in Lilongwe.
Moleni said the funding will help sustain transport, accommodation, food and other emergency services required to assist Malawians returning from South Africa.
He revealed that about 21,000 Malawians have so far arrived back home through the government led repatriation programme, with more people still expected to return.
According to Moleni, the operation remains costly because many Malawians are still stranded and require government assistance to travel back safely.
He appealed to those who have the financial means to return on their own to do so instead of passing through temporary transit camps, saying this would speed up the process.
“Those who can manage to travel home independently should do so because it is faster and will allow us to focus our attention and resources on those who are in greater need,” Moleni said.
He also called on individuals, organisations and development partners to join hands with the government by providing support to ensure the repatriation exercise continues without disruption.
The government launched the emergency response after hundreds of Malawians sought assistance following renewed xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa, forcing many to flee and seek safe passage home.
Authorities have assured the public that the repatriation programme will continue as more resources are mobilised to bring back all Malawians wishing to return safely.
