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Malawi cylone death toll hits 499 as rescue operation continues

The death toll for Tropical Cyclone Freddy in Malawi has now hit 500 as the search and rescue operation continues in the southern African nation

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CSJ Contributor1 min read
March 21, 2023Blantyre, Malawi
The government says 499 bodies of people who died when Tropical Cyclone Freddy battered Malawi for about five days from March 12 have been recovered. “As of Monday, 20th March 2023, the number of displaced people is at 508,244, with 534 camps set to accommodate the displaced. The death toll has risen from 476 to 499, with 1,332 injuries. The number of reported missing persons is at 427 from 349,” reads a statement by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA). The statement signed by DODMA Commissioner Charles Kalemba says currently Malawi Defence Force (MDF), the Malawi Police Service (MPS), and the United Kingdom search and rescue teams continue their operations. “The MDF is also airlifting relief items, medical supplies, and personnel to places not accessible by road. In addition, the helicopters dispatched by the governments of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Zambia continue airlifting relief assistance to areas that are inaccessible by road and water,” reads the statement.
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CSJ Contributor

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Reporting for the Centre for Solutions Journalism.

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