Current situation in Malawi following Cyclone Ana

Published by Fr. Lonely Paul MASHONGA, SMM in Africa Anglophone · Wednesday 02 Feb 2022
Tags: NU, AFA, 795

[FR] [ES]

BLANTYRE, Malawi - It is beginning to surprise many Africans: how can Africa have such kind of things like floods forming as you have never seen before, heavy flooding, landslides, winds we have never seen such speeds! We commonly hear of such cyclones in America and some Asian countries. It is surprising to many indeed because the African continent is now experiencing it.

In Malawi, we experienced cyclone Idai in 2019 and now it is Ana. The tropical storm Ana, since it entered Malawi on 22^nd January 2022, has brought heavy rains exceeding 250mm in a day and very strong winds exceeding 80km/hour in many areas of southern Malawi. The impact of the storm has been torrential rains, very strong winds, floods, and the falling of trees and power lines. A good number of roads that connect people have been rendered impassable and some completely washed away. The seriously affected districts are Nsanje, Chikwawa, Mulanje, Mangochi and Phalombe, with so many households displaced, and many people are seeking refuge in designated camps, churches, schools, and other public structures. Even though cyclone Ana has weakened since it hit Malawi from 22^nd January onwards and has passed through Malawi, more rains are still continuing to cause more flooding hence the need for more support.

The most unfortunate thing with the cyclones that Africa is now experiencing is that most of the infrastructures were not built in a way that they can withstand the storm. Even the Malawian government is alarmed by the magnitude of the damage which prompted the president on 26^th January, to declare heavily hit districts disaster places. The government has also issued an analysis of the damage which is available. Following the declaration by the president, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), on 27^th January 2022, sent a communique to stakeholders and Christians of goodwill appealing for support for those heavily affected districts. Similarly, CARITAS Malawi and Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) released an assessment of the areas heavily hit by cyclones Ana and casualties as seen on their report dated 26^th January 2022.

Impact of the storm

Cyclone Ana has seriously caused alarming damages: Blowing off house’s roofs, loss of livestock, collapsing of houses and toilets, cut off roads network, damages of bridges, culverts and other road structures, damage of public and private infrastructure: schools, health facilities, churches. It is sad that over 30 people are confirmed to have died. But the figures can be more since it is becoming difficult to reach to the places where people live since the roads have become impassable. Some dead bodies have been washed away and soiled.

Response interventions

The Malawi government and other organizations are at the forefront doing several commendable works:

Malawi Defence forces are helping in mounting temporary shelters
Teams of Doctors’ Society are providing support to the affected people
Calling upon people and organizations to support the victims who are in camps.
Some district councils have no capacity to get enough support due to the overwhelming magnitude of the disaster; cut off of roads and rail networks that become impassable for vehicles and locomotives carrying both food and non-food items, difficult to send referrals to the district hospital.
Bags of maize flour, beans, cooking oil, salt, etc.
Utensils, cooking pots, plates, washing basins and Erection of marquee tents.

What is Needed urgently

Rehabilitation of damaged public infrastructure, schools, health, churches, etc.
Support victims with both food and non-food items, e.g., food, shelter, utensils, clothes, etc.
Support victims with wash equipment and chemicals, e.g., hand washing facilities.
Provision of portable water
Seeds, plantains for replanting

The Montfort Missionaries working in the Anglophone Africa General Delegation joins the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), CADECOM, Caritas, Malawi Government, and other stakeholders to appeal for support towards the victims of Cyclone Ana in any way possible, materially and financially. Your support will touch their lives significantly.

Fr. Lonely Paul MASHONGA, SMM

Superior Delegate of Montfort Missionaries, Anglophone Africa

reviews