Portland Cement Malawi reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the recovery of communities affected by cyclone Freddy with a cement donation worth MK10 million to Habitat for Humanity Malawi. The donation was made at Njema Court in Group Village Headman Mdala in Traditional Authority Njema, Mulanje district.
The Chief Executive Officer for Portland Cement Malawi Limited Mr. Jianguo Liu said that when Cyclone Freddy hit most parts of the Southern Region, Portland Cement immediately mobilized some resources from staff and the company donated some foodstuff to one of the camps in Blantyre. However, we identified the need for a long-term sustainable solution to assist the most vulnerable victims who had not only lost their homes and property but most sadly their loved ones. It is on this basis that Portland Cement sought partnership with Habitat for Humanity Malawi with whom we have a shared vision to construct durable housing.
The Housing Officer for Mulanje District Council, Ms. Lois Kavuta, representing the District Commissioner said while the housing crisis in the district is huge, every support towards housing will eventually lead to an end of the housing deficit and bring a positive outcome of providing a roof over the head of as many Malawians as possible. She disclosed that cyclone Freddy affected over 11,000 people in Mulanje district alone. Traditional Authority Njema was the most hit area and 97 families completely lost their houses are still living in destitution.
Anock Kapira, National Director for Habitat for Humanity Malawi expressed his profound gratitude to Portland Cement Malawi Limited for donating 760 bags of cement towards the construction of resilient houses for the disaster affected families in Mulanje district. The National Director disclosed that this support will enable Habitat for Humanity Malawi to build 13 resilient houses for the disaster affected families in Traditional Authority Njema in the district. “This donation will enable us provide 13 disaster resilient houses to families that are currently deprived of secure shelter”. The national director called upon many corporates in the country to consider partnering with Habitat for Humanity Malawi in its efforts to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.
Habitat for Humanity Malawi has in the recent years constructed disaster resilient houses in Zomba, Phalombe, Chikwawa and Nsanje districts when cyclone Idai hit the country. Portland Cement Malawi is one of the manufacturers of cement in the country and produces DuraCrete, SupaSet, Kumanga and Khoma.
