On 21 March 2026, YONECO, through the organization’s Cultural Troupe and National Helpline Services, conducted psychosocial support intervention to provide to flood disaster survivors at Chambo and Likangala evacuation camps in Zomba district.
The activity used theatre, music, and dance to promote emotional healing, coping mechanisms, and community solidarity among affected populations.
A total of 90 survivors were reached, including 48 participants at Chambo Camp (18 adults and 30 children; 28 females and 20 males) and 42 participants at Likangala Camp (13 adults and 29 children; 24 females and 18 males).
Many of the survivors shared heartbreaking experiences, highlighting the loss of their homes due to flooding, particularly those from communities surrounding the Likangala River and nearby areas. These accounts underscored the urgent need for both material and psychosocial support.
The sessions created a safe and supportive space for individuals to express their emotions and begin the healing process. Participants actively engaged in storytelling, performances, and discussions, fostering resilience and a sense of togetherness within the camps.
With children making up the majority in both camps, mainly because many adults had temporarily left in search of basic needs, the intervention placed special emphasis on engaging young people. Through interactive performances and culturally relevant activities, the sessions transformed moments of distress into joy, with children visibly uplifted and actively participating.
Torrential rains that caused severe flooding hit Malawi between 15th and 18th March 2026 affecting several districts including Blantyre District, Chiradzulu, Dedza, Karonga, Lilongwe, Mulanje, Machinga, Chikwawa, Mangochi, Mchinji, Mwanza, Phalombe, Neno, Zomba district. The disaster claimed 13 lives and affected about 9,598 households.
