Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera met former Presidents Joyce Banda and Bakili Muluzi at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre where they discussed the progress and challenges in the recovery efforts from Cyclone Freddy. President Chakwera had appointed Banda and Muluzi as goodwill ambassadors for the cyclone recovery in March.
According to the 2023 Tropical Cyclone Freddy Post-Disaster Needs Assessment report, the disaster resulted in a loss of $506.7 million (over K500 billion). The report estimates that the government would require $680.4 million (over K700 billion) for the recovery and reconstruction process.
The cyclone, which occurred in early March, had severe impacts on people’s lives, livelihoods, and the country’s socioeconomic infrastructure, exacerbating poverty levels. Approximately 2,267,458 individuals in 16 districts were directly affected, with 659,278 people being displaced (336,252 females and 323,026 males). Tragically, there were 679 reported fatalities, and over 530 people were declared missing by mid-March 2023.
The housing sector bore the brunt of the disaster, with approximately 260,681 houses damaged or destroyed. Other sectors, such as social services, productivity, and infrastructure, also suffered significant damage and losses due to the heavy rains and floods caused by Cyclone Freddy.
