Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2015-01-26

Heavy rains and devastating floods over the past few weeks in Malawi has left about 176 people dead and almost 200,000 displaced with fear of more rainfall to come.

The floods, the worst the region has seen in decades, have submerged wells, washed away fields and livestock, and destroyed roads and bridges making it hard for aid groups to reach the hardest-hit areas to assess needs.

With many aid groups currently in Malawi to provide relief to those affected by the floods, Jamiatul Ulama South Africa in conjunction with Pretoria North Muslim Educational Trust will be joining the effort when they depart for the country on Tuesday.

Moulana Yusuf Cajee, the ameer (leader) of the inspection team said the organization is going to oversee the distribution of food and blankets to Malawians affected by the floods.

“Alhamdulillah the Muslim community has donated generously towards the upliftment of the Malawians after the floods which have devastated the majority of Malawi.

Moulana Cajee said over 90 madaaris that is operated by the Pretoria North Muslim Educational Trust have also been affected by the floods.

Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries with a population of 16 million.

Aid groups said more funding was needed to provide basics such as food, and water and sanitation to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases including diarrhoea, malaria and cholera

(Twitter: @Faizie143)