By Peter Davieson

Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) has appealed to churches across the country to mobilize support for Malawians returning from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.

In a statement jointly signed by MCC Board Chairperson Reverend Billy Gama and Secretary Reverend Alemekezeke Phiri, the council says many of those fleeing the violence are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, including food, clothing, shelter and spiritual support.

The council has called on churches that own buses to make them available to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) to assist in transporting the affected people from South Africa back to Malawi.

According to Dodma Commissioner Wilson Moleni, over 21,000 Malawians have already brought home from South Africa, exceeding the planned target of 15,000, as thousands remain stranded and still waiting to return home.