Flooding and landslides continue to impact parts of southern Malawi due to the effects of post-Tropical Cyclone Freddy. The districts impacted include Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Mulanje, Mwanza, Neno, Nsanje, Phalombe, Thyolo, and Zomba. Updates indicate that as of March18, 438 people have been killed, 918 have been injured, and 282 are believed to be missing. At least 85 of the deaths occurred in the Cilobwe area of Blantyre.
In addition, estimates indicate that 345,183 people from 79,602, households have been displaced due to the storm. Numerous roadways have been deemed impassable, including M1 heading north from Blantyre, and M3 between Liwonde and Zomba. The Muloza border crossing into Mozambique, along M2, according to NC4, an independent global crisis reporting agency.
Meanwhile, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera on Friday reassured flood survivors in Chikwawa, of government’s commitment to ensure that all people affected by the recent Tropical Cyclone Freddy receive the required assistance from government until they recover.
Chakwera was speaking at Sekeni evacuation camp where he visited flood survivors to assess the damage caused by the cyclone.
“The cyclone has worsened hunger problem which was already there by washing away crops so government will continue supporting the people through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA),” he said as quoted by Mana News.

He further urged authorities responsible for the relief aid distribution to be transparent and accountable by making sure that all resources are utilised and distributed to every deserving person.
“I would like to commend traditional leaders here for their cooperation and dedication in assisting our people during this period,” he said.
In his remarks, Paramount Chief Lundu said he was happy that the president spared his time to visit the flood survivors physically and he is confident that the problems that the people are facing will be addressed.

Zambia has provided ZMW20 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Malawi who are under distress from floods caused by cyclone Freddy.