14 March 2023 – Cyclone Freddy hit the southern region of Malawi on 12 March 2023 with heavy rains and strong winds causing damage to infrastructure such as roads, buildings and electricity lines. The districts of Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Mulanje, Mwanza, Neno, Nsanje, Thyolo, Phalombe, Zomba are the areas most affected by the devastation and Malawi’s president has declared a state of disaster.
“The situation is very dire. There are many casualties, either wounded, missing or dead, and the numbers will only increase in the coming days. The Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre is overwhelmed with the influx of casualties coming from different areas, so MSF has put together a team of nurses and clinical officers to provide medical and logistic support. We are also donating medical supplies and will assess if food also needs to be provided to patients, ” says Guilherme Botelho, MSF Emergency Project Coordinator, Blantyre.
According to official numbers, Blantyre district has recorded the highest number of deaths. Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital alone has reported 220 casualties of which 42 adults and 43 children were pronounced dead on arrival.
The threat of a resurgence of cholera remains preoccupying as Malawi recently suffered the biggest outbreak the country has seen in its history after tropical storm Ana hit last year.
MSF emergency teams will continue to assess the situation and needs of the population and health facilities in the most affected southern districts in the coming days to provide support including treatment and access to clean water and sanitation.
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Related:
- Cyclone
- Malawi
- Medical Care
- MSF in Malawi
