BY FAITH KAMTAMBE KADZANJA
Cyclone Freddy survivors have hailed Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) for providing Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) services to them.
FPAM with support from International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) through stream three, is providing sexual reproductive and health services targeting survivors of tropical Cyclone Freddy in evacuation camps in Phalombe and Blantyre districts in Malawi.
One of the beneficiaries of the response from Matope camp in Blantyre Nelson Weluzani, has hailed FPAM for the initiative saying sexual reproductive health needs are an essential component that should not be disregarded during disasters.
Estelle Joseph a beneficiary at Nambiro camp in Phalombe, also commended the gesture saying it is timely. “We have not been able to access family planning methods as the nearby clinic was greatly affected by the cyclone and is not operational and the mobile outreach clinic is our only hope. I have accessed a modern family planning method and I am happy,’’ she said.
FPAM service provider in Phalombe Dalitso Mwechumu said they have so far managed to reach over 2000 clients with general medical services and 1000 people have since accessed family planning services in the district.
FPAM service provider in Blantyre Damascus Nkhoma also said over 2000 people have received SRH services in the district.
Outreach coordinator at Phalombe District Health Office Rashid Mang’anda said since heath centres were destroyed in the district due to the cyclone, outreach clinics are essential.
‘’Currently it is only FPAM supporting us with outreach clinics as other partners have left. Our plea is that such support should continue as there is a great need of sexual reproductive health services as well as general medical services in the camps,’’ he said.
FPAM is affiliated to IPPF which has provided 30,000 US Dollars for the response which commenced last month.
Cyclone Freddy brought devastation in the southern region of Malawi and the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) reported a death toll of 511 and 126,511 displaced households.
