Since the onset of the project in June 2023, the project has met with challenges especially in its procurement process and most of the building materials has significantly risen than anticipated due to the continual devaluation of kwacha and shortage of fuel. With this, the project did not manage to achieve its goals within its planned schedule and budget leading to unfinished work.
2.1 Project goal
To provide relief support to 29 victim households of Cyclone Freddy in Masikini village.
2.1.1 Project Objectives:
· To construct 29 houses for 29 victim households of Cyclone Freddy
· To establish Village Savings and Loans (VSL) groups for victim households of Cyclone Freddy.
· To provide household relief items such as pails, pots, plates and spoons to 29 victim households of Cyclone Freddy.
2.2 Project Progress
At the onset of the project in June 2023, soon after gathering data on the Cyclone Freddy victims in Masikini village, CCDR conducted orientation meetings withthe Chiradzulu District Social Protection Committee (DSPC) and Chiradzulu District Executive Committee to inform them of the project and seek its approval for the project implementation in the district. The outcomes of the meetings were successful as the members of both committees welcomed and appreciated the project implementation in the district as it would easy the district and government response to the victims as they reported the government to have been overwhelmed with the rising number of victims needing support. They also requested and promised to be involved in monitoring of the project implementation activities.
The project was approved by the DEC, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between CCDR and Chiradzulu District Council. This signified a significant milestone in securing the necessary support and collaboration from the District authorities from the government of Malawi.
Following the meetings, the project donor visited the project site to appreciate the impact
Of the cyclone and the progress made in the relief efforts. The CCDR team accompanied the donor throughout the visit, highlighting the challenges faced by the affected communities and the proposed solutions through the project. The assessment enabled the donor to witness the dire conditions faced by the cyclone victims and provided them with a deeper understanding of the urgency and importance of the relief support. The visit also offered an opportunity for the donor to interact with the beneficiaries, gaining insights into their needs and aspirations. Further, the donor bestowed some cash upon a blind couple.
There was also technical site supervision conducted on 22/06/2023 by stakeholders assigned by the District Executive Committee (DEC) to ensure project quality and adherence to project specifications during the construction of the 29 houses for cyclone victims. The stakeholders closely monitored and supervised the construction process, reviewing the materials used, the construction techniques employed, and the overall progress of the project. The site joint supervision with district council officials allowed for timely adjustments and corrections, ensuring that the houses should build according to the proposed plan and meeting all necessary standards. Any concerns or issues raised during supervision were addressed and resolved promptly.
On 23/06/2023, the CCDR team successfully distributed kitchen utensils to the 29 households identified as beneficiaries of the project. The utensils were carefully chosen to meet the specific needs of each household, ensuring that they were equipped with essential tools for cooking and kitchen management. The distribution process of household materials conducted smoothly, with the CCDR team coordinating the logistics and ensuring that every household received their allocated utensils. The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the support and conveyed their hope that this assistance would contribute to their recovery and rebuilding efforts.
2.3 HOUSES CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
PHASE 1
Phase 1 of the construction project started in July 2023. Before the construction began, the locally identified bricklayers were assessed by CCDR and the District council.
· Marking of house profiles using the adjusted house plan by the council
· Digging of house foundations
· Procurement of construction materials such as bricks, sand and others
During this phase, the project managed to do 98% of construction works on four houses out of 29 planned houses as the project was faced with some challenges such as rising prices of commodities including building materials as the Malawian currency has depreciated by 25% thereby affecting the project budget. This followed the rising of fuel which led to the disruption of supervision and material delivery work. In addition to these challenges, the change of initial house plan and bill of quantity also affected budget as the new plan need more materials than the initial plan. Nevertheless, there is a there is good working relationship between Community members, District Council and CCDR which has helped the project to manage control safety of construction materials with the help of the Community Disaster Management Chair and GVH Masikini. Most importantly, the District Council team has been coming in the project site to visit and enforce the government standard procedures of construction.
PHASE 2
The second phase of the construction project started mid- August 2023 after finalising the first four houses. In this phase the project planned to finalise the remaining 25 houses by December 2023. Among the planned activities in the construction process was the procurement of construction materials such as bricks, sand, iron sheets, timbers and nails. Poster of Peter Hunter the main donor was planned to be purchased and placed on the main doors of the houses as a symbol of honor by the community.
During this phase the project started the construction of the remaining 25 houses. However the project continued to face harsh economic challenges due to the impact of devaluation of kwacha which once again devalued by 44% against major currencies making it 69% within two months. This challenging economic environment saw prices of building materials and other essentials such as fuel rising adjusting to the fall of Kwacha. Due to this, the project budget was further affected making the project unable to achieve its plans of building the remaining 25 houses. As such by December, 2023, 16 housed were built to window level.
PHASE 3
As the project tried to adjust its plans and budget which has been affected by devaluation of Kwacha, the remaining funds were used to lay foundation of the remaining 9 houses from phase 2 despite not finalising the other 16 unfinished ones. The remaining funds were used to buy materials to be used for the remaining houses.
Phase 3 has seen all the remaining 25 houses being built to window level, as we appeal for funding to finalise the houses.
No_
Name of Beneficiary
House status
1
Mercy James Hassan
Completed
2
Mr Asan
Completed
3
Mercy Chiwaya
Completed
4
Granny Maria Kumbwemba
Completed
5
Paulina Anderson
Window Level
6
Paulina Fedson
Window Level
7
Catherine Kwetemba
Window Level
8
Rosina Milefa
Window Level
9
Esnart Chikupa
Window Level
10
Lois Brayimo
Window Level
11
Getrude Tchale
Window Level
12
Grace Makokola
Window Level
13
Loniya Brayimu
Window Level
14
Christina Kambanje
Window Level
15
Regina Yusuf
Window Level
16
Felista Goliyati
Window Level
17
Cecilia Kaliati
Window Level
18
Ireen Duncan
Window Level
19
Maria George
Window Level
20
Magret Brayimu
Window Level
21
Charles Makina
Window Level
22
Martha Eliasi
Window Level
23
Felix Shire
Window Level
24
Felista Moses
Window Level
25
Josophine Thupa
Window Level
26
Asani Jafali
Window Level
27
Vanessa Majengo
Window Level
28
Chrissy james
Window Level
29
Jane Gustino
Window Level
2.4 CONCLUSION
Since the onset of the project in June 2023, the project has met with challenges especially in its procurement process and most of the building materials has significantly risen than anticipated due to the continual devaluation of kwacha and shortage of fuel. With this, the project did not manage to achieve its goals within its planned schedule and budget leading to unfinished work. However, despite these challenges, CCDR has hope and is persistent to finish the remaining houses and see the beneficiaries have good shelter and rebuild their lives from Cyclone Freddy ruins. As such it is appealing to well wishers to support this cause with financial support so the houses be ready for handover by June, 2024.
