Malawi: Cholera & Tropical Cyclone Freddy Floods Response Dashboard (as of 15 April 2023)

OVERVIEW

The passage of Tropical Cyclone Freddy in southern Malawi from 12 to 15 March brought devastation to a nation already facing its worst cholera outbreak in two decades. Tropical Cyclone Freddy affected over 2.2 million people, according to the Government of whom an estimated 1.3 million people are in the most urgent need of assistance, according to humanitarian partners. The impact of the floods and mudslides destroyed and damaged houses forcing almost 700,000 people to leave their homes and shelter in displacement sites; at least 1,000 people were killed, according to the Government. Separately, over 55,000 cholera cases, including 1,746 deaths, were reported between the onset of the outbreak on 3 March 2022 and 25 April 2023.

Since the launch and revision of the Cholera and Floods Flash Appeal in February and April 2023 respectively, humanitarian partners have reached 1.4 million people with life-saving and life-sustaining assistance, out of a targeted 4.8 million. In response to cholera, 967,000 people have been reached, of whom, almost 660,000 people have been given access to sufficient clean water and over 270,000 learners provided with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) supplies; over 62,000 people have received health assistance, and around 14,000 children under age 5 have been screened for acute malnutrition. In response to the floods, over 570,000 people have been reached with assistance out of the targeted 1.1 million people in the 10 hardest-hit districts since 12 March 2023. Over 90,000 people have been assisted with shelter, including non-food items and cash assistance for shelter, while over 220,000 people have been provided with food supplies. With 408 schools hosting displaced people, restoring education services has been a focus for partners, who have assisted over 240,000 learners to regain access to education. Considering the continued threat of cholera spreading, over 270,000 people have been reached with WASH supplies and sensitization. About 56,000 people have received health assistance and some 19,000 children under age 5 have been screened for acute malnutrition, including about 8,000 children with severe acute malnutrition receiving treatment.

The revised Flash Appeal requires US$116 million of which just 21 per cent has been received ($24.5 million), including $9.5 million from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund. In order to ensure that partners can rapidly scale-up their response, it is critical that additional funding is received swiftly under the appeal to cater for the needs of those affected.