Disaster-prone districts will have disaster evacuation centres, as the default camps for victims has always been primary schools. The development will therefore relieve pressure of the primary education institutions. The news was confirmed by Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) chief mitigation officer Stern Kita.

We want to ensure there are strong systems within the communities because when disasters occur, people seek shelter in schools, mosques and churches as a result services offered by those places are no longer available”

This year, Cyclone Idai affected southern areas of Malawi, especially areas that share boundaries with Mozambique. The cyclone’s impact towards theses areas was immense as heavy winds, rains and floods, left families displaced, rushing to camps for shelter. Thousands of families were camping in Primary schools for shelters, as various organizations came to donate food stuffs, sanitary items, vaccinations and more utensils.