By Staff Reporter

It started as normal rains and little was known that something bigger will come out of it.

Soon after the devastation, we saw countries coming in with their condolences and plans on how they seek to respond.

King Charles III of the United Kingdom has not remained silent on the disaster which has claimed over 500 lives.

The king sent a message of condolence to President Lazarus Chakwera and people of Malawi following the loss and damage caused by Cyclone Freddy.

In a statement addressed to the President, King Charles said he can only begin to imagine the scale of suffering and loss as a result of the tragedies.

“I particularly wanted to convey our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to the families of all those who have lost their loved ones,” reads part of the statement.

It adds that the King’s thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the appalling natural disaster whether through injury or the destruction of property.

To assist Malawi respond to the disaster, the United Kingdom has provided £1 million (about K1.3 billion) in lifesaving support to Malawi.

The UK’s emergency package of assistance comprises a team of emergency medical personnel, a team with international search and rescue expertise (ISAR), specialist boats, and urgently needed emergency relief items such as shelter materials and water filters.

This is in addition to the immediate support the UK provided to the Malawi Government at the Emergency Operations Centre in Blantyre when the cyclone hit. This included food assistance, staff and vehicles to help Government and the UN launch emergency operations.

In his statement, King Charles said: “I do hope the UK assistance we are providing will help Malawi through this difficult time.”