Lilongwe, Malawi … Malawi is a land locked country with no access to the sea. The nations of Mozambique and Madagascar usually serve as a buffer from tropical storms that cross the Indian Ocean and slam into the eastern side of the continent. This was not the case in late January when cyclone Anna ignored the borders and swept inland causing catastrophic devastation across Malawi. Here are some of the early facts.
* Over 1 million people have been displaced.
* Major damage in over half of Malawi’s 28 districts.
* Malawi’s President, Lazarus Chakwera has appealed for urgent assistance. Declares a National Emergency.
* Widespread flooding takes place along the Shire River basin.
* Main power generating stations along the Shire shut down, throwing over half of the nation into darkness.
* Water supplies in the capital city of over 1 million people shut off when electricity stopped. Only water available was from village wells outside the city.
* Business operations in major urban communities disrupted by lack of electricity.
* Crops, just recently planted, washed away.
* Last year’s grain storage, remaining in family bamboo storage bins, has been destroyed.
* Major roads and bridges, including major link M-1, have been washed away, leaving many communities isolated and making travel to many areas of the south impossible.
The Malawi Project and its partner, Action for Progress are all ready to ship and distribute food, clothing, and medical assistance to the affected areas. Your help is needed to make this happen. Please send your contributions to Malawi Project, 2421 Golfside Drive, Lebanon, Indiana 46052, or program your assistance through the website at: https://www.malawiproject.org/donate/
