Zimbabwe – The death toll from Tropical Cyclone Freddy in Malawi, has risen to 225, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has revealed.
So far over 88 000 people have been displaced, 41 are report missing and 707 are injured, John Cassim reports from Harare.
“The death toll has risen from 190 (as reported in our previous update dated 14th March, 2023) to 225 with 707 injured and 41 reported missing.
Cumulatively, Tropical Cyclone Freddy induced flooding, strong winds and mudslides have displaced over 19,676 households (approximately 88,312 people) with 165 camps set to accommodate the displaced,” Charles Kalemba Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs said.
This was revealed Wednesday at a time when the Malawian President was expected to pay a visit, the affected areas in Blantyre.
“His Excellency Dr McCarthy Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, will today Wednesday 15 March, visit the affected areas and currently experiencing Tropical Cyclone Freddy,” Collen Zamba, Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet said.
The Malawian President was said to have moved to Blantyre for some unforeseeable future to lead government activities in response to the unfortunate cyclone effects.
Chakwera’s visit comes barely a day after he declared the State of Disaster for the affected areas in the Southern parts of the country.
Meanwhile in Harare, the Malawian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mwayiwawo Polepole has appealed for some emergency relief assistance.
“In view of the above, the Embassy is appealing to individuals and organisations/institutions of goodwill for assistance in material or finances towards the affected Malawians,” the Ambassador appealed.
“The Embassy is urging that all donations should be made through the committee that has been instituted at the Embassy.
Due to the magnitude of the calamity and immensity of the exercise all donated items are to be distributed within the shortest possible time after mobilization and reports shall be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Malawi and all donors,” the Ambassador said.
The Major General Elias Mpaso is the Chairperson of the Committee and is available on Zimbabwean number +263781879761