The United Nations (UN) and humanitarian partners in Malawi are calling for $70.6 million to help more than a million people who were affected by Tropical Cyclone Freddy. In March 2023, one of the longest-lasting tropical storms on record hit Malawi, causing extensive damage, claiming the lives of hundreds of people, leaving more than 650,000 people homeless, and affecting some 2.3 million people.
The passage of Cyclone Freddy left a trail of devastation across 15 districts in southern Malawi. In a statement Saturday, the UN says the flash appeal will provide shelter, nutrition, health, water and sanitation for those hardest hit by the crisis.
“Freddy’s passage has caused death, destruction, displacement and devastation on a horrifying scale at a time when Malawians were already facing high levels of food insecurity and a cholera outbreak,” said the UN Resident Coordinator in Malawi, Rebecca Adda-Dontoh.
The appeal comes on top of the $45.3 million called for earlier this year by humanitarian partners to respond to a cholera outbreak, bringing the total revised flash appeal to $115.9 million. Malawi continues to face its deadliest cholera outbreak in recent history and health concerns are rising following the passage of Cyclone Freddy.
The UN says the funds would enable it to work swiftly in support of the Malawi government-led response to assist communities affected by Cyclone Freddy and cholera. Adda-Dontoh said Malawians have mobilized to support one another in this time of tremendous need, and the appeal aimed to step up solidarity at the international community.
The cyclone destroyed many bridges and cut off roads in Malawi, making many areas reachable only by boats and aircraft. Government statistics show that the cyclone left at least 676 people dead, and the death toll is expected to rise, as more than 600 others are still missing.
The United Nations said in the statement that the appeal aims to provide an integrated response — including shelter, nutrition, health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and protection — to assist 1.1 million people affected by the passage of Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
The UN and its humanitarian partner organizations in Malawi urgently call on donors to fund the revised Flash Appeal and enable them to work swiftly in support of the Government-led response to assist communities affected by the passage of Cyclone Freddy and the cholera outbreak.
The devastating storm also hit Mozambique and Madagascar, overall affecting at least 3.8 million people in the three countries.
Some information for this report provided by VOA.
Further information
Full text: The United Nations and Humanitarian Partners Call for US$70.6 Million to Provide Life-Saving Assistance to People in Malawi affected by the passage of Cyclone Freddy, United Nations Malawi, press release, published April 1, 2023
https://malawi.un.org/en/226010-united-nations-and-humanitarian-partners-call-us706-million-provide-life-saving-assistance