Malawi Asian Organisation of the UK (MAO)

In early 2015 Malawi experienced severe flooding in which over one million people were affected. Some 300,000 people were made homeless and many more were displaced as a result of the rising flood water caused by torrential rains. 

An emergency meeting of was called where it was unanimously agreed that the Malawi Flood Relief Appeal would be launched. 

The Chairman, Mr Sony Pandirker and the members of the Executive Committee met a number of people from several community organisations as well as prominent business owners in the UK and discussed the plight of the people of Malawi and the launching of the Malawi Flood Relief Appeal. The response was not only positive but greatly encouraging. 

Research was undertaken to look at various models for low cost housing in sub-Saharan Africa as well as Bangladesh and India. We looked at various schemes and read relevant papers published by UNICEF, UNESCO and other charitable organisations and NGO’s working on the ground.

It was apparent from the outset that the relief agencies and local charities were providing assistance on the ground fairly swiftly following the aftermath of the flooding by providing temporary shelters, basic medical treatment, food and water. Inevitably there were delays in reaching some affected areas where the roads were impassable and where there were problems with the infra-structure and transportation.

We immediately set about researching the most effective use of the funds collected. In addition to identifying one of the affected villages, it was important to assess the needs of the people affected. There are 29 districts in Malawi of which 15 districts were affected. All the houses and crops in the villages of these districts were wiped out and destroyed.

On 10th May 2015 a meeting was held at The Venue in Leicester to celebrate Mao’s 40th anniversary following which a new Constitution was adopted. Subsequently, an application was submitted to the Charity Commission for MAO UK to be registered as a Charitable Organisation. Sony Pandirker and Soli Osman were elected as Chair and Secretary respectively

A joint appeal from Malawi Asian Organisation and Islamic Relief Worldwide for the house re-building program in Malawi was led by Tufail Hussain, the Deputy Director of IRW, and Soli Osman, the Secretary of MAO. It is heart-warming to report that in under 15 minutes pledges amounting to approximately £250,000 were achieved underlining the generosity, care and concern the community has for those affected.

In February 2020, the officers of Malawi Asian Organisation and Islamic Relief Worldwide attended the ceremony in Malawi to hand over 150 houses to those whose houses had been destroyed during the flooding.