As of Tuesday, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs in Malawi reported that Cyclone Freddy has claimed at least 676 lives and left 538 people missing. The storm, the longest‑recorded cyclone, has caused widespread displacement across the southern region, with districts such as Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Chikwawa, Mulanje, Mwanza, Neno, Nsanje, Thyolo, Phalombe and Zomba experiencing severe water and sanitation challenges. Floods, strong winds, and mudslides have devastated thousands of households; local musician Giboh Pearson survived by climbing a mango tree after waking to find his mattress floating away.
In response, Malawians living in South Africa are mobilising resources to support families back home. Saunders Juma, based in Johannesburg, leads a team that has already gathered six large parcels of clothing from KwaZulu‑Natal and Gauteng, along with other essential items. “We have created groups on social media to mobilise support for food, clothes, money, tents and sanitary products to be sent to Malawi,” Juma said. He noted that Malawians in Namibia are also contributing money directly to relatives, organisations, or churches.
The effort is coordinated with the Malawi High Commission in Pretoria, which notifies the Malawian border at Mwanza to facilitate the entry of donated goods via public transport. Juma urged donors to focus on non‑perishable food, diapers, blankets and other emergency supplies, especially as weather reports indicate the cyclone’s effects are spreading to central and northern regions. He called on local authorities to expedite assistance for those left destitute and without shelter, emphasizing that Cyclone Freddy should prompt the government to develop a comprehensive disaster‑response plan.
Meanwhile, Malawi’s Finance Minister Sosten Gwengwe announced adjustments to the 2023/24 budget in Parliament, aiming to cushion the cyclone’s economic impact. The revisions include cuts to certain ministries and departments, while allocating additional funds to the Malawi Defence Force for the urgent procurement of two search‑and‑rescue helicopters. For those wishing to donate, Juma provided contact details: Pastor Greyson Mikuwa (+265 9800 08653) and Lenzo Kalonga (+265 888 272240).
Comments are closed for this story.