LILONGWE, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN and other humanitarian organisations in Malawi have launched a flash appeal for U.S.$29.4 million to provide assistance for the next three months to those hit hardest by Tropical Storm Ana in Malawi.
The appeal focuses on the six hardest-hit districts where an estimated 680,000 people need humanitarian assistance and protection according to the UN team in Malawi.
Forty-four organisations are making the appeal, including the Malawi Red Cross, seven national NGOs, 26 international NGOs and 10 UN agencies. Government figures show that over 990,000 people were affected in 17 of the country’s 28 districts.
Several U.N. agencies and organizations including UNICEF, U.N. Women, the U.N. Refugee Agency and the World Food Program already have been helping the affected, especially those in evacuation camps.
Tropical Storm Ana caused widespread destruction and triggered flooding across southeast Africa. Fatalities were reported in several countries including Mozambique, Malawi and Uganda.
Ana made landfall on the Mozambique coast on Jan 24 and later headed for southern Malawi hitting the country in the early hours of Jan 25.
The storm caused severe flooding across all districts in the southern region and some districts in the central region.
According to the DODMA disaster response report, over 995,000 people have been affected by cyclone Ana with Chikwawa district recording the highest number of those displaced. In total, 190,000 people have been displaced, while 46 people died, 18 people have been reported missing and 206 people sustained injuries. — NNN-AGENCIES
