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BLANTYRE. – The death toll from Cyclone Freddy in Malawi has risen to 1 000, with more than half a million displaced, President Lazarus Chakwera said on Wednesday.
“This devastating climate-change event has killed over 1 000 people, displaced over half a million, and affected over two million through the washing away of homes, roads, bridges, crops, markets, schools, clothes, businesses, and power lines,” said Mr Chakwera.
Opening the tobacco marketing season in Malawi, Mr Chakwera said the economic situation no longer remains the same because of the impact of Cyclone Freddy.
He appealed to Malawians to work together as the country recovers from the impact of the disaster which has damaged 405 kilometers of road infrastructure, 63 health facilities, and 500 schools.
Freddy struck Mozambique and Malawi earlier in March for the second time in a month, destroying scores of homes and triggering widespread floods.
Seventy-six deaths were recorded in neighbouring Mozambique, where more than 33 000 houses were destroyed.
“The cyclone has left an appalling humanitarian situation in its wake … increased and concerted humanitarian assistance is needed” to support affected people recover and cope with the disaster, WHO regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti said in a briefing. – Agencies
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