ActionAid Malawi launches Tropical Cyclone Freddy response
distributes K70 million to 1, 000 households in Phalombe and Nsanje
ActionAid Malawi today in Phalombe launched Tropical Cyclone Freddy (TCF) response and resilience program targeting affected communities in the two impact districts of Phalombe and Nsanje districts.
The response includes provision of cash support worth K70 million to a combined total of 1,000 affected households in both districts. Each survivor received K60,000
Speaking during the launch that took place in Traditional Nkhulambe, Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Honourable Michael Usi, commended ActionAid Malawi for swiftly coming in to support survivors.
“We are grateful to ActionAid because they have come to help the survivors at their point of need and I ask other organisation to emulate this gesture. As government, we are overwhelmed by the appeals for more support; that is why we are calling upon every stakeholder to join us in responding to the disaster,” said Usi.
On her part, ActionAid Malawi Board Chairperson, Professor Dorothy Nampota said Phalombe and Nsanje are the organisation’s impact areas in the southern region hence the donation in the two districts.
“As organisation, we mainly work with women, girls and children and we have noted that Tropical Cyclone Freddy has heavily affected these groups. We decided to give cash to survivors to enable them make decisions on how to use the money, depending on their urgent needs. After the cash support, we will start implementing resilience interventions to ensure survivors fully recover and rebuild their lives,” said.
One of the beneficiaries, Esther Molande said she will use the money to buy food, clothes and other necessities.
“The floods took away everything I had. I am now at the camp where there is no food and other support. I appeal to government and other well-wishers to come in and help other survivors, otherwise the situation is really pathetic,” she said.
As at 18th March, 2023, TCF has claimed over 447 lives and displaced over 362, 928 Malawians currently being sheltered in 505 camps across all the affected districts, mainly in southern Malawi. At least 918 are injured, while 282 are reportedly missing according to preliminary by Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs.