Malawi Chief Urges More Aid for Cyclone Freddy Victims Ahead of Lean Season
Cyclone Freddy killed over 600 people across Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar, according to regional leaders. Malawi's government has launched an international appeal for help with response efforts.
MULANJE, Malawi— A senior traditional leader in southern Malawi has appealed for continued food and relief assistance for victims of Cyclone Freddy, warning that many did not harvest enough crops this season due to drought, writes Ted Likombola.
Paramount Chief Kaduya of Phalombe District made the plea Wednesday during a memorial service for those killed in the devastating cyclone, which triggered flooding and mudslides across the region.
"We have been receiving food and non-food items through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs since Cyclone Freddy occurred, but I am here also to plead for more because most people didn't harvest enough food in this crop season," Paramount Chief Kaduya said at the event in Mulanje.
The cyclone, one of the longest-lasting tropical storms on record, struck Malawi, Mozambique and other southern African nations in late February and again in mid-March after regaining strength over the Indian Ocean.
With the lean season approaching in Malawi before the next harvest, concerns are rising about food insecurity for displaced families and communities that lost crops.
President Lazarus Chakwera, who attended the memorial, thanked international partners for their relief donations so far while warning officials against misusing aid intended for cyclone survivors.
"Let me thank our development partners for the support we received. I warn some Malawians who are pulling us down by wanting to divert relief support like it happened before with the items from our neighboring country Mozambique of which did not get to the located camps," Chakwera said.
The president said some partners have pledged continued assistance to help Malawi recover from the cyclone's devastation.
The memorial service was held under the theme "A resilient nation towards recovery."
Cyclone Freddy killed over 600 people across Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar, according to regional leaders. Malawi's government has launched an international appeal for help with response efforts.