Talking to the displaced at Jenda CCAP
The Government said it has intensified efforts to find a lasting solution for the displaced families currently living in temporary shelter at Kasasile in Nkhata-Bay District.
This follows a meeting held yesterday by ministers of lands Housing and Urban Development, Chimwemwe Chipungu, Minister of Justice Charles Mhango and Minister of Defence Dr. Feston Kaupa, with Members of Parliament from the Northern Region to discuss progress on the resettlement process and the way forward.
According to a statement released by the of lands, Housing and Urban Development on Thursday, July 23, during the meeting, Chipungu disclosed that Government had decided to identify suitable land in one of the neighbouring districts for resettlement of the families.
It said the Ministry is working with other Government agencies, including the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) and district councils, to ensure a smooth implementation of the resettlement plan and mitigate the impact of the current status of the families.
Spokesperson for the ministry Fostina Kamanga told radio Islam that officials from ministry of lands already departed to Nkhata-Bay to facilitate the process of evaluating the land for resettlement of the affected families.
Kamanga said pending the acquisition of the permanent settlement land, Government has provided temporary shelter to the families at Thungwe whereas DODMA will provide the required support to ensure that the families live a decent and humane life at the shelter.
“Land acquisition is not a simple process, it requires time to make sure that the land is suitable for the people to be resettled, so considering the situation these families are in right now, DODMA will be providing them with the basic necessities until the process has been finalised,” said Kamanga.
However, she could not say as to when the processes may be finalised adding it also not known whether or not, the government would consider assisting in the construction of houses for the families, once the resettlement land has been identified.
Meanwhile the Government said it remains committed to ensuring that the resettlement process is conducted in an orderly, transparent and humane manner, while safeguarding the welfare and dignity of all affected families.
At least 140 displaced people spent their night at Jenda CCAP Church in Mzimba district as they were on their way to Lilongwe but the police intervened to stop their planned protest march.
The group, was displaced from Kasasile in Nkhata-Bay by the Malawi Defence Force in 2024.
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