Update from Ruth Guinness, SIM Malawi
In mid March, the President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, announced 14 days of national mourning following Cyclone Freddy. It is the Southern Region (which includes Blantyre) that has been most affected. Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs published figures on 17th March:
- 345,183 people displaced,
- 505 camps established,
- 438 deaths,
- 918 injured and
- 282 people still missing.
It is likely that these figures will continue to rise. Some have chosen to stay in the ruins of their houses, others are being accommodated in relief camps based in schools.
It is likely that these figures will continue to rise. Some have chosen to stay in the ruins of their houses, others are being accommodated in relief camps based in schools.
Schools in the most affected districts remain closed for pupils until April. Other than those being used as camps, many schools were damaged and are structurally unsafe, and for some the authorities fear that pupils cannot safely get to school because of damaged roads and bridges. Using lessons learned from Covid, the national radio will be broadcasting classes.
Electricity and water supplies continue to be intermittent, although the authorities are working hard to restore these.
Cholera is a big concern, as Malawi was already experiencing a widespread cholera outbreak. In Blantyre even before Freddy we had around 10 hours without electricity each day due to the ongoing effects of damage to the hydroelectric power plants by Cyclone Ana in January last year.
I went to church yesterday and talked with people there about how they are. Many say that their houses are still very vulnerable, with saturated mud brick walls. They fear too much sun, which would dry out the mud too quickly, leading to cracking and collapse. The church has approximately 60 families, and 13 of those have had major damage to their houses. It’s amazing to see their incredible resilience in spite of all that has happened. Yet many have questions: why did God allow this to happen?
Please continue to pray:
- For the church to reach out with God’s love and compassion. Give thanks for many churches already doing this.
- For those who have been devastated by the effects of the cyclone to receive practical help and to come to know God’s comfort, and to know that he is the only Rock and Refuge.
- For coordination between government and relief agencies, and for the distribution of assistance to those most in need. Pray against corruption.
- For the rebuilding of houses, repair of schools, and replacement of broken infrastructure – roads, bridges, electricity, water.
It will take a long time for things to return to anything like normal, and many people will need support over the long term.
Thank you for your prayers!
Ruth Guinness
St Lukes Watford, Partners in Mission supports Ruth Guinness