OVERVIEW
Communities in southern Malawi are still recovering from the effects of Cyclone Freddy that wreaked havoc, destroying lives, livelihoods and homes and displacing hundreds of thousands of people. Crisis (IPC3) levels are expected to persist through January 2024 in most districts in southern Malawi due to the disruption of livelihoods combined with agriculture production shortfalls during the 2022/23 season and high food and non-food commodity prices, according to the Famine Early Warning System Network. Humanitarian partners are supporting government efforts to relocate more than 100,000 people requiring resettlement through participation in joint feasibility assessments, in districts where land has been identified for relocation. The Government continues to close displacement sites and had closed 666 out of 747 displacement sites as of 31 May.
Meanwhile, significant improvements in the cholera situation have been reported, with the outbreak controlled in 17 out of 29 districts as of 31 May, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH). Since the onset of the outbreak in March 2022, 58,820 cases of cholera, including 1,761 deaths had been reported.
Humanitarian partners continue to facilitate life-saving and life-sustaining assistance in support of the Government-led response for cyclone Freddy and cholera, reaching 1.8 million people as of 31 May. Some 1.2 million people received safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene items. About 551,000 learners were supported to access education, while around 637,000 people impacted by Cyclone Freddy were reached with food and livelihood assistance, including cash. About 266,000 children and primary care givers were provided with nutrition services; 129,000 people received health services while 346,000 people accessed protection services. About 98,000 people whose houses were damaged by floods and mudslides received shelter materials and non-food items.
As of 31 May, only 27.5 per cent of the funds needed to respond to humanitarian needs had been received out of the US$116 million required. Partners urgently require additional funding to scale up their response.