Cyclone Freddy, expected to be the longest-lasting cyclone on record at 34 days, has killed at least 500 people in Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar.
This is an extremely destructive cyclone, which formed near Indonesia, crossed the Indian Ocean, passed over Madagascar and hit the coast of Mozambique twice before moving on to Malawi. Strong winds and heavy rains have caused flooding and destruction with Malawi recording the highest death toll with at least 438 dead (2) and hundreds injured.
ActionAid responds to the needs of the people of the country and in collaboration with local organizations registers the needs to provide vital help to people who need it most. The cyclone caused great destruction, left tens of thousands of people homeless and is estimated to have negatively affected at least 345,000 people, who urgently need help.
As Maria, from the village of Kampira, explains: “I lost all my property. We urgently need food, shelter and clothing.” Similarly Esther from Nyang’a village also says that: “My property and belongings were all taken away by the water. The result is that I am now displaced.” Pamela Kuwali, Director of ActionAid Malawi, adds: “The country is reeling from the effects of Cyclone Freddy. We are a society that was already under tremendous pressure, before the cyclone. A fifth of the population faced food insecurity, over 70% already lived below the poverty line, and the country was facing its deadliest cholera outbreak». “Our priority is to document the disasters and gaps in aid. We are also participating in rescue efforts to find missing people.”
Teresa Anderson, International Head of Climate Justice at ActionAid International, says: “The reality is that climate change is bringing more and more severe cyclones, floods and storms. In Africa, cyclone season can be deadly. Women and children are most affected by climate disasters. During last year’s COP 27 Climate Summit, the rich countries of the North pledged to create a damage and loss fund so that countries can rebuild after catastrophic weather events such as Cyclone Freddy. Governments must take the necessary steps now to make this fund a reality and support the people who are already on the front lines of disasters and cannot wait another minute.” You can learn more about ActionAid’s work here
Source: News Beast
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