zim donates to Cyclone Freddy victims in Malawi

President Mngangawa last week handed over an assortment of goods worth millions of dollars to victims of Tropical Cyclone Freddy in Malawi which left more than 1 000 people dead and a trail of destruction in the country.

The cyclone, which hit Malawi from March 12 to March 21, also displaced hundreds of families, prompting the Malawian Government to declare a state of disaster. 

Zimbabwe was among the first African countries to respond to Malawi’s distress call by mobilising resources,  for the affected people.

Some of the donated goods include wooden cabins, cement, sanitisers, disinfectants, blankets, gumboots, clothing bales, stationery, medical equipment and various food items.

President Mnangagwa who was accompanied by his Malawian counterpart, President Lazarus Chakwera, handed over the goods to the victims in Kapeni area of Soche, just outside the city of Blantyre during his State visit to the country.

The goods were mobilized from Zimbabwean companies and individuals and was coordinated by ZimAid which included the Department of of Civil Protection.

Speaking  at the handover ceremony, President Mnangagwa said the donation showed that Zimbabwe and Malawi were one people.

“We have a historical bond between the people of Zimbabwe and the people of Malawi. The founding father of Malawi, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda and the founding father of Zimbabwe, Dr Robert Gabriel Mugabe were very close.

“I am deeply saddened and horrified to witness this devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy here in Blantyre and other surrounding districts, which left half a million people displaced and close to a thousand people dead, while more than 2 000 were injured in all areas where these devastations occurred. The huge rocks which fell as a result of the incessant rains destroyed houses, killed and injured people.

“On behalf of the people and Government of Zimbabwe and on my behalf I want to extend our deepest sincere condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said  Zimbabwe will continue to stand by Malawi and will mobilise additional resources to assist the people whose livelihoods have been affected by the devastating cyclone.

Malawi President Chakwera thanked Zimbabwe for the kind gesture

 “Let me express gratitude on behalf of the people of Malawi to President Mnangagwa, my dear brother, the President of Zimbabwe. The people of Zimbabwe have demonstrated high levels of generosity by responding to the cries and needs of our people who were affected by the cyclone.

“This kind gesture demonstrated that Zimbabwe and Malawi are one people. We haven’t come out of the woods as we are still in mourning our loved ones who lost their lives. We have to look at mitigatory measures including the issue to do with legislature. Our Parliament last month came up with a Bill which I will sign into law when I get back to Lilongwe that will help us in future when we encounter disasters of such magnitude,” he said.