Ecobank Malawi provides K100m relief package for Cyclone Freddy survivors

Ecobank Malawi has given K100 million relief package to Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) to help survivors of Tropical Cyclone Freddy that has killed more than 300 people.

Speaking when he presented a cheque in Blantyre on Friday, Ecobank Malawi executive director Weluzani Chingota said as a responsible corporate citizen, they want to lessen the suffering of cyclone survivors.

He said: “As as response, we feel it is most important to support the community that we work in.

“We have to be able to come out and support and we will work in coordination with Dodma.”

Chingota said they believe this package will assist many households that have been affected by the cyclone.

In his remarks, Dodma director of preparedness and response Reverend Moses Chimphepo thanked Ecobank Malawi for standing up with the country.

“This year, we thought we will be recovering from cyclone Ana and Gombe which affected the country last year,” he said.

Chimphepo said Tropical Cyclone Freddy has caused a lot of death and that many people are missing compared to devastation caused by the two cyclones last year.

“Right now, we are doing what we call search and rescue,” he said, adding that they are also focusing on providing immediate needs such as food and shelter.

President Lazarus Chakwera on Monday declared a State of Disaster in the Southern Region that has been heavily affected by the cyclone.