Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has promised to assist victims of Tropical Cyclone Freddy with proceeds from the NBS Bank Charity Shield and Malawi against Egypt AFCON qualifier slated for March 24.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu says the association acknowledges the devastating effects of the cyclone in the Southern part of Malawi.
He says, as a good Corporate Citizen, FAM has decided to play an active role in mobilizing resources, to compliment efforts by the Malawi government, to mitigate the suffering of the victims.
The association has since resolved to donate proceeds of the 2023 NBS Bank FAM Charity Shield match between FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers on 9th April 2023 to the Cyclone Freedy Victims.
This year FAM and NBS Bank initially planned to target the education sector, after supporting the Victims of Cylone Idai with Charity Shield donation in 2022.
However after appreciating the extent of damage and the urgent need to support the thousands of people who are in pain and suffering, FAM has decided to channel all the proceeds this year to cyclone victims.
Recent reports released by the Department of Disaster Management (DODMA) indicate that over 438 people have died, 918 are injured and 282 are still missing. Over 345,183 people have been displaced and living in temporary shelters.
Among those affected by the devastation are football coaches McDonald Mtetemera and Enos Chatama, who lost their houses and properties due to the raging sweeping Cyclone Freddy waters in Blantyre.
Earlier this week, the football fraternity lost a promising football star Mhala Mpholia, who was playing for Genesis Football Acadamy, which plays in Blantyre and District Mmera Mpoyamba Under 16 League.
The 15-year-old died when his parents’ house was swept away in Manja township.
In view of the huge effects caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy Malawi Parliament has postponed plenary sessions for a budget meeting scheduled for Monday March 20,2023.
According to speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara in a statement, the plenary sessions have however, been shifted to Wednesday March 21,2023.
Hara says the change of the resumption date has been done in order to enable the MPs, Cabinet Ministers and relevant government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to attend to critical matters needed for the efficient and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance in the affected areas before resuming the sittings of the House.
Speaker Gotani Hara
Meanwhile, Parliament has extended its condolences to all the bereaved families who have lost their beloved relatives following the calamity that has affected most districts in the Southern Region.
“The Office of the Speaker would also like to wish for a speedy recovery of all the people that have been injured during the tragedy as well as recovering from trauma caused by this calamity,” reads the speaker’s statement.
It adds “The Office would also like to thank organisations and individuals who have so far provided humanitarian support to those affected and wish to appeal for more support to ensure that all the affected people are adequately assisted.”
President Lazarus Chakwera on Saturday, 18th March, 2023 spoke tough against anyone diverting, stealing, or abusing any item meant for victims of Cyclone Freddy in the country, saying the law will not smile at the perpetrators.
He was speaking at Chilala Primary School in Ntaja (Machinga district) where he cheered the victims in the district who are living at Chilala evacuation camp in the area of TA Chizinga.
“We are talking about Operation Tigwirane Manja. Malawians, let us learn to love each other, let us see each other as brothers and sisters.
Malawians of good will and other donors are partnering in putting together resources to help us, and let us help each other regardless of our affiliations. This is a national disaster, I am happy those who stole relief items in Blantyre have been caught and arrested.” Said President Chakwera.
He then assured the victims that soon government through the line Ministry will embark on irrigation farming once the situation becomes stable so that people are assisted in food security.
President Chakwera who on Friday, 17th March, 2023 concluded his Southern region tour with visits at various places and victim centers in Chikwawa and Nsanje districts where he assured them of their government’s commitment through his leadership to make sure they are getting necessary humanitarian assistance as they live in the evacuation camps, made the same assurance to Freddy victims in the Eastern region after visiting Zomba and Machinga districts on Saturday.
Writing on his official Facebook page, President Chakwera said the magnitude of the destruction by cyclone Freddy to lives, infrastructure, economic activities, and general wellness is too huge that needs a lot of support to the affected people and the country at large.
“Bridges have been washed away, while a majority of roads, both main ones and those in the deep rural have become impassable. This infrastructural malfunction has disrupted rescue efforts, farming activities, and economic enterprise.
I have also sadly learnt that in the midst of our efforts, some misguided citizens are already chancing a loot from the relief items meant for affected communities. As a coordinator of Operation Tigwirane Manja, I plead with you all to be custodians of all items availed by government and other well wishers.” Read part of the message adding that it is the duty of everyone to show kindness for national good.
In his remarks at Chilala Primary School Camp, Paramount Chief Kawinga said people of Machinga appreciate the fatherly heart and servant leadership that President Chakwera has demonstrated, saying the President has demonstrated his commitment towards helping people who are in need.
Said Paramount Chief Kawinga; “Let us all emulate the example set by the President, by visiting those displaced by the cyclone, as the President can not visit each and every family. It is up to us to join him and help.”
Kawinga further concurred with Member of Parliament for Machinga Central East Constituency, Daud Chikwanje that people of Machinga will heavily rely on President Chakwera for food assistance as they have left destitute with no food items by Cyclone Freddy.
During the visit, Richard Chimwendo Banda, Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture thanked President Chakwera for directing that no-one should politicize the assistance being channeled towards victims of Cyclone Freddy, saying it shows the wise leadership that President Chakwera has and ensures that there is equal distribution of the relief items.
Meanwhile, companies, organizations, governments, and individuals are trickling in with their support following President Chakwera’s appeal for more humanitarian assistance under Operation Tigwirane Manja.
So far, statistics are showing that education in 49 schools in Machinga has been disrupted as they have been turned into evacuation camps. Further records show that Cyclone Freddy has claimed over 400 lives across the Southern region, with thousands being displaced, and several others still missing.
Two military helicopters donated by the Tanzanian government to Malawi to help in search and rescue missions as well as delivery of supplies to Cyclone Freddy survivors have arrived in the country.
The two planes with medical and military personnel landed at Kamuzu International Airport ( KIA) in Lilongwe on Saturday evening.
Welcoming the delegation at the airport were Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda , Malawi Defence Force Commander General Vincent Nundwe and High Commissioner for Tanzania to Malawi Humphrey Polepole.
Speaking with local media, Polepole said one of the helicopters will be used to support the survivors while the other will be flying top government officials to the affected areas.
On her part, Kandodo Chiponda said the assistance will help the government to intensify its rescue and search mission and also improve delivery of support to the survivors.
On top of two military helicopters, the Tanzania government has also donated K1.3 billion and 100 personnel services to help in the rescue mission.
Malawi police in Blantyre are keeping in custody a 26-year-old Edward Walasi for stealing assorted items meant to benefit victims of cyclone Freddy at Manja Primary School Camp.
According to Deputy Spokesperson for Blantyre Police Sergeant Aubrey Singanyama, it is reported that, on March 17, 2023 at around 0700 hours, the camp’s supervisor noted the missing of three donated sets of solar torches and two ordinary torches when she opened the storeroom.
She immediately reported the matter at Soche Police where investigations were carried out and led to the arrest of the suspect and recovery of the said items whose value is around three hundred thousand kwacha.
Edward Walasi who comes from Misesa village in the area of Traditional Authority Kapeni in Blantyre District, will appear before court soon to answer a charge of Theft.
Meanwhile, the district’s police are informing the public that police listening units have been established in all camps to ensure the safety of lives and property.
