A team of experts from the United States Geological Survey are due in Malawi in January to assess the "underlying causes" of a recent string of earthquakes, the US embassy said Thursday.

The two-man team, sponsored by the US government, will also "evaluate the probabilities of future large earthquakes and to determine the factors that contributed to the loss of lives and buildings," a statement said.

Malawian geological experts say over 30 earthquakes have hit the uranium mining district of Karonga in the north

After 3 months of low intensity seismological activity in the Karonga district of Malawi, the area was hit by a sequence of stronger earthquakes ranging from 5,4 to 6.0 on the Richter scale between 6 and 20 December 2009. Seismological activity continues and is taking the form of an earthquake swarm. There is no certainty about when this is expected to halt. The district of Karonga is located in the northern part of the country, bordered by Lake Malawi on the East, by the Songwe

A recent study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) estimates the economic losses from extreme

2 There does not appear to be immediate unmet food needs for households affected by the earthquake. Food is available and accessible to Karonga inhabitants. Local markets are functioning, food is available, and prices are in line with seasonal trends.

3 While relief goods have been dispatched by a number of actors, the joint mission of WFP, UNICEF, FAO and UNFPA

The Government has released a special appeal for NGOs, the international community and the private sector to

The government of Malawi has officially declared a national disaster after the northern Malawian district of Karonga experienced its second significant earthquake in two weeks. The magnitude 6.2 quake killed two people and injured at least 170.

Initial assessments indicate at least 4,800 households have been affected, although the number of people directly affected could be as high as 36,000 people. Almost 1,000 houses collapsed

The quakes, which measured up to 6.2 on the Richter scale, have left four people dead and 300 injured. Over 1500 homes and public buildings have been destroyed and many more have been badly damaged. People have been advised to stay outdoors and Plan

This bulletin is being issued for information only, and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS), with the support of the International Federation, is working to map the full scope of their response, including the specific needs for international support.

Early in the morning of Sunday 20 December 2009, the northern Malawian district of Karonga was hit by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake. Two people died with 171 people injured, 81 of whom were

People in the affected areas have been forced into tents, lacking safe drinking water, food, sanitation facilities