Cyclone Freddy brought torrential rains and damaging winds to the southern region of Malawi. The region continues to deteriorate and the continuous heavy rains are hampering relief efforts and adding to the devastation.
So far, 500,000 people have been displaced and over 500 people have died, and whilst disaster relief organisations carry out critical search and rescue operations, we are supporting our friends in the south by delivering urgent food supplies and essential items such as blankets and buckets.
Malawi needs your help. If you can, please make a donation today.
Cyclone Freddy made landfall in Malawi on the 12th March. It was one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere with more than 125,000 households affected due to the strong winds, floods and mudslides.
This is the second year in a row that Malawi has been hit by a cyclone, something that was previously judged as being a 1-in-20 year weather event. Before the cyclone arrived in the country, it had been experiencing its worst cholera outbreak in two decades.
Hundreds of people are still reported as missing. However, given the lack of access with road infrastructure being the worst affected, these numbers are expected to increase. International search teams have been arriving in the country to support the Malawian disaster teams efforts.
The flooding, which affects 14 Districts in southern Malawi, covers more than 400 sq kms. President Chakwera has declared a state of disaster.