Zambia on Friday commenced the distribution of humanitarian aid to help victims of the Tropical Cyclone in neighbouring Malawi.
Mr Gabriel Pollen, the National Coordinator of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, who supervised the departure of the plane carrying the first items at the Zambia Air Force base in Lusaka, said the donation followed a directive by President Hakainde Hichilema, according to the state broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.
It reported that the donations include food and non-food items, such as maize, chlorine, blankets, and tents for displaced people.
ZNBC said the first consignment included five tons of maize and other relief items, and that more relief aid will be dispatched by air and road.
The cyclone has left devastating effects in Malawi with the death toll standing at 326, while the number of people injured and those missing have risen to 796 and 201 respectively.
Xinhua/NAN
