Malawi Leader to Preside Over Cyclone Freddy Memorial
Across the southern region, Cyclone Freddy killed at least 165 people in Mozambique and 17 in Madagascar, based on UN figures.
MULANJE, Malawi— Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera will preside over a memorial service on Wednesday to mark one year since Cyclone Freddy devastated the southern region of the country, leaving over 1,200 people dead, writes Ted Likombola.
Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba announced that the memorial at Mulanje Park Stadium is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.
Cyclone Freddy struck Malawi in March 2023, causing catastrophic flooding and landslides, especially in the southern districts of Mulanje, Blantyre, Thyolo and others.
According to the United Nations, over 695,000 people were displaced, with 200,000 hectares of cropland destroyed.
The disaster management department confirmed at least 676 cyclone deaths in Malawi, which bore the brunt of the cyclone's impact.
Another 538 missing people were eventually declared dead weeks later.
Across the region, Cyclone Freddy killed at least 165 people in Mozambique and 17 in Madagascar, based on UN figures.
The upcoming memorial is expected to honor the lives lost and impacts suffered when the powerful tropical cyclone swept through southern Malawi a year ago with flooding, debris flows and landslides causing widespread destruction.