Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA Reporter |

The Government of the Republic of Korea has decided to provide US$200,000 in humanitarian assistance to Malawi, which suffered damage from tropical cyclone Freddy severely struck southern Malawi in early March.

“South Korea hopes that this humanitarian assistance will help the people of Malawi affected by tropical

Cyclone to swiftly bring stability to their daily lives and recover from the damage,” said the statement issued

by the ministry of foreign affairs.

A least 507 people in Malawi had been confirmed dead caused by the Tropical Cyclone Freddy weather

system in Malawi with at least 537 people still unaccounted, and over 553,600 people displaced in more than 540 sites, reported by the Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), on 21 March.

Heavy rains were reported in Zomba on 21 March, that caused the Likangala river to rise over the

Mpondawono Bridge, while water also flowed over the Likangala Bridge between Chipatala and Box 2. 

The Tropical Cyclone Freddy weather system were record-breaking with heavy rains especially in Nkulambe in Phalombe, 1,078 mm of rain fell over four consecutive days between 10 and 13 March, higher than Nkulambe’s average annual rainfall (1,007 mm).

The UN’s World Meteorological Organization assessed the Cyclone Freddy the world’s longest-lasting tropical storm as it is one of very few cyclones in recorded history to have crossed the full width of the Indian Ocean.

Scientists warned that powerful cyclones will strike southern Africa more frequently as climate change warms

the waters of the Indian Ocean, leaving more heat to create stronger storms. 

“Climate change is elevating risk in places where tropical cyclones are already affecting agriculture, infra-

structure, livelihoods and lives,” said by the World Weather Attribution project in a study of the increase in

cyclone activity in southern Africa.

Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) volunteers are on the ground working hardly in dangerous conditions,

primarily conducting search and rescue by land, and in rescue boats. Volunteers are busy in providing first aid and psycho-social support to the affected people, also distributing non-food items to the evacuation centers

and hospitals.

McBain Kanongodza, Secretary General for the Malawi Red Cross Society appreciated the volunteer services

and said:

 “We are grateful to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for the support

through this emergency appeal. This support will go a long way to help the survivors recover from the shock of Tropical Cyclone Freddy devastation.” 

The IFRC and its delegation for Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe is assisting MRCS to meet the needs of the

affected people by the severe impacts of Tropical Storm Freddy. 

IFRC has launched an Emergency Appeal seeking 6.0 million Swiss Francs, which will help the MRCS to assist

up to 160,000 people over 5 districts of Malawi.