Malawi: Chakwera Launches High-Level Cyclone Freddy Appeal

By Joseph Dumbula.

President Lazarus Chakwera has utilized his latest trip to the United Kingdom for the coronation of King Charles to make a fresh international appeal for the international community to support Malawi with about $700 million to ‘rebuild the country’ following a recent Cyclone Freddy which led to death of more than a thousand people.

Cyclone Freddy, is the latest thorn in the fresh for the Southern African nation with Chakwera admitting that it would take years to enforce such a recovery.

But Chakwera who was among delegates at the coronation said he has been engaging various stakeholders to support Malawi in the same vein.

‘’I have pleaded with them to get on board and help us cover the deficit of over US$107 million required for effective implementation of a short-term plan and around US$700 million estimated to address recovery and reconstruction programs,’’ he said.

The cyclone has been devasting to communities, with a state of disaster being declared in 14 districts that were severely affected.

Over 500,000 people have been displaced by the storms and the death toll has risen to over 500 while more than another 500 people have been reported missing.

Public infrastructure such as schools, health facilities, and district and main roads have been damaged in all affected districts