More than 500,000 people have been affected by this storm in Malawi. According to statistics released last night (March 17), in this country of 20 million people, at least 360 people have died. The storm hit at the time this country was in the midst of the most dangerous cholera outbreak.
The Malawian government has put the number of displaced people at more than 183,000 and appealed for global aid to address humanitarian needs. More than 300 emergency shelters have been set up for survivors, while the military and police continue to search for bodies.
Strong winds caused by storm Freddy. (Photo: Reuters)
“ We have been able to identify areas where our beloved Malawians are still trapped. As of this morning, according to the information I have received, we have identified about eight areas where people are definitely buried. The challenge now is that the area is very muddy and we are using more shovels and hoes to search for victims,” said Lieutenant Colonel Dickens Kamisa of the Malawi Defence Force, who is based in Blantyre.
To assist in the search and rescue efforts, several foreign aircraft and ships are being deployed to Malawi. According to Malawian police sources, the first rescue ships will soon arrive in Malawi from Zambia and Switzerland, while the United States and South Africa are also planning to send aid aircraft and ships to the country, which has been hit hard by the storm.
Phuong Anh (VOV1)
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