* We are here to underscore Illovo Sugar Malawi’s sustained commitment to supporting the recovery and enhancing the livelihoods of Malawians impacted by Cyclone Freddy
* Our financial support to the people of Chikuse Village represents more than mere physical dwellings — but a foundation for stability and the resumption of normal life for beneficiary families
Maravi Express
Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc has increased its investment towards the housing project for survivors of Cyclone Freddy in Chikwawa to K180 million from the initial budgeted for K100 million.
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The Malawi Stock Exchange listed sugar manufacturer presented the additional K80,052,300 today, May 13 to Chikwawa District Council where Nchalo Estate General Manager, Ricky Pillay pledged Illovo Sugar Malawi’s commitment to continue holding hands with local communities in their time of need.
“We are here to underscore Illovo Sugar Malawi’s sustained commitment to supporting the recovery and enhancing the livelihoods of Malawians impacted by Cyclone Freddy,” he said.
Pillay further said Illovo’s package will see a total of 10 housing units and accompanying sanitational ablution facilities standing up in Chikuse, Traditional Authority (T/A) Makhuwira — one of the Cyclone Freddy’s hardest-hit areas in Chikwawa.
“Our financial support to the people of Chikuse Village represents more than mere physical dwellings — but a foundation for stability and the resumption of normal life for beneficiary families.”
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He said an initial nine houses had already been completed and work to build the accompanying sanitation facilities would now proceed following the additional funding.
“During the implementation phase of this project, a critical need for integrated sanitation facilities was identified,” Pillay said. “Recognising the fundamental importance of these amenities to public health and individual dignity, Illovo Sugar Malawi undertook a further financial commitment to address this gap,” he said.
Pillay added that Illovo Sugar Malawi firmly believes in collaborative approaches with the government, traditional authorities, and all relevant stakeholders in its quest to contribute to building stronger and more resilient communities.
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Chikwawa District Commissioner (DC), Nardin Kamba applauded Illovo Sugar Malawi for shouldering the responsibility to provide housing facilities to vulnerable villagers who survived the devastating Cyclone Freddy ordeal.
“We are grateful to Illovo for their untiring quest to ensure that the houses they are building will be complete with sanitation facilities,” Kamba said. “They have come to fill a very critical gap and reaffirm that they stand with us in our difficult times.”
The 2023 Cyclone Freddy left over 1,000 people dead and displaced thousands of others across several districts in southern Malawi with the Lower Shire River Chikwawa District among the hardest-hit areas.
Illovo’s humanitarian response followed a request by Cyclone Freddy recovery Goodwill Ambassadors, former Presidents Joyce Banda and Bakili Muluzi, who were appointed for the roles by President Lazarus Chakwera.
