BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-About 438 people have been killed while displacing 79,602 households due to Tropical Cyclone Freddy that hit hard Malawi’ southern region districts since Friday, March 10, 2023.

This is according to Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA)’s fresh preliminary reports from councils, on damages caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy (TCF) as of March 17, 2023.

DoDMA says has received rapid assessment reports from 14 affected councils namely; Balaka, Blantyre City, Blantyre District, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Machinga, Mangochi, Mulanje, Neno, Nsanje, Phalombe, Thyolo, Zomba City and Zomba District.

Reads DoDMA statement, “Cumulatively, TCF-induced flooding, strong winds and mudslides have displaced 79,602, households (approximately 345,183 people) with 505 camps set to accommodate the displaced. The death toll has risen from 326 to 438; with 918 injured and 282 reported missing.

“The department, humanitarian partners and councils continue to facilitate the provision of relief assistance to affected and displaced households, with search and rescue operations led by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF), the Malawi Police Service (MPS), the Department of Marine, the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) and communities; underway”.

“The MPS has deployed sniffer dogs for search and rescue; and so far, they have recovered nine bodies in Chilobwe, Blantyre District.

“The national interagency assessment team is on the ground to support affected councils with assessments to establish the total number of affected people and their immediate needs,” added the statement.

DoMA reads further, “Following the declaration of state of disaster by President Lazarus Chakwera; foreign missions, governments, local and international organizations, companies and individuals of goodwill are providing various support towards TCF response operations.

“The department will be regularly updating the general public on provision of assistance, usage and any related development”.

Appeals DoDMA, “As earlier indicated by clusters (sector working groups), the affected people require various relief items as shown below.

SHELTER
Tarpaulin (4 x 6 m)
Family tents/big tents
Plastic Sheet
Blankets
Sleeping mats

PROTECTION
Clothes
Lighting lamps
Dignity Kits

HEALTH
Mosquito nets
Mobile clinic services

NON FOOD ITEMS
Plates
Cups
Pots

WASH
Mobile toilets
Water treatment chemicals
Soap
Buckets

FOOD SECURITY
Maize/ Maize Flour
Corn Soya Blend
Cooking Oil
Pulses (beans, peas etc)
Soya Pieces
Dry Fish/ kapenta
Sugar
Salt

For any emergency or assistance, please call our toll free number 115 using either Airtel or TNM lines.

For more information, please contact the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chipiliro Raymond Khamula, on +265 (0) 999 043 228, (0) 884 572 844 E-mail; info.dodma@dodma.gov.mw.