People with disabilities in the area of Senior Chief Mbenje in Nsanje have been receiving support from Iris Africa Partners In Harvest Ministry the development which is said to be addressing some of the challenges they face in day-to-day living.
Speaking to ProjectM Commissioner Emmanuel Ali said the ministry started assisting people with disabilities in 2003.
He said Bangula was established as the headquarters for the ministry in the country.
He said the communities they are reaching out with assistance are of various denominations who only meet once in a week for prayers.
“The locals we are supporting are not our church members but they are from other churches around Bangula,” he said.
Commissioner Ali disclosed that the ministry has two main centres which they reach out namely Bangula and Sorgin centres.
“We support 760 households from Bangula centre while Sorgin has 700 households, adding that more from the surrounding villages join in whenever there is distributions,” said the Commissioner.
Commissioner Ali further said Iris Africa Partners In Harvest do assist people affected by the effects of tropical cyclones Idai, Ana, Gombe and of recent Freddy who seek refugee at Bangula Evacuation Camp in the district.
He also said women and their children have been coming to receive food and non-food items while waiting for their relief assistance from authorities.
Commissioner Ali disclosed that the ministry is also facing food shortage to support the vulnerable people.
One of the person with disabilities, Simenti Msakambewa, from Jambo Village in the area hailed the ministry for the tireless assistance.
He said the little they are given help them to survive.
“We are at least bailed out from hunger and other problems we used to face,” he said.
A flood survivor from Makhanga Island residing at Bangula Evacuation Camp Grace Matias thanked Iris Africa for the support it has been rendering to them.
She said despite being registered at the Evacuation Centre the survivors have been getting assorted support from the ministry.