BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s leading smartphone network provider Airtel Malawi, on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 pumped in MK150 million through Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) to support Tropical Cyclone Freddy in the country.
Airtel Malawi Managing Director Charles Kamoto told news conference in Blantyre that out of the MK150 million, MK50 million will be channeled to support the purchase of relief items.
Kamoto further said the remaining MK100 million will cover for free talk time to over 600 000 Airtel Malawi subscribers from the cyclone affected areas.
“As Airtel Malawi we wanted to not only support with the MK50 million cash, but also help people in the affected areas to connect with their loved ones during this difficult time. Therefore each of these customers will receive five free minutes per day for two days.
“To locate the recipients we have used data on the affected areas from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) and mapped tbose areas to our Airtel sites and the subscribers using these sites,” said Kamoto.
In his remarks, Malawi Red Cross Secretary General McBain Kanongodza lauded Airtel for the timely support.
“We are thankful to Airtel Malawi for the donation that they have made today and we will use the 50 million kwacha to buy food and deliver to the selected camps.
“The MK100 Million free talking time to the areas affected by the Cyclone is important as it will ease communication especially in restoring family links and coordination of humanitarian aid”, said Kanongodza.
On March 11, 2023 Tropical Cyclone Freddy hit hard southern and eastern regions districts including Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Machinga, Mangochi, Mulanje, Mwanza, Neno, Nsanje, Phalombe, Thyolo, Zomba City and Zomba District.
As of March 22, 2023, the number of displaced people is at 562,415 with 576 camps set to accommodate the displaced.
The death toll is at 511 with 1,332 injuries.
The number of reported missing persons is at 533 from 537, with four bodies of missing persons recovered.
