Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
A week on, brutal Cyclone Freddy still taxes southern Africa
Clothes are hung out to dry on called electrical power lines caused by last week's heavy rains caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy in Phalombe, southern Malawi Saturday, March 18, 2023. Authorities are still getting to grips with destruction in Malawi and Mozambique with over 370 people confirmed dead and several hundreds still displaced or missing. (AP Photo/Thoko Chikondi)
Latest News
March 20, 2023

A week on, brutal Cyclone Freddy still taxes southern Africa

Over a week after Cyclone Freddy’s second and more devastating landfall in Malawi and Mozambique and nearly a month since it battered Madagascar, the effects are still being felt as locals, officials and aid workers continue to uncover the full extent of the cyclone’s destruction.

In Malawi the death toll has reached 447 people, with 282 others missing and close to 400,000 people still displaced, authorities in the country said. Malawi’s southern region, including the financial capital of Blantyre, was the worst affected. In Mozambique, some 66 people have died and 59,000 are still displaced, according to local authorities.

Many people, including children “are traumatised by the cyclone,” said Palal Areman, from the aid agency Save the Children and based in Blantyre. “They were brought to the hospital with head injuries, broken limbs, and bruises, while others looked worried or had no family members.”

The United Nations emergency fund released $5.5 million to Malawi to assist communities affected by Cyclone Freddy on Monday.

READ: Cyclone Freddy to ease after battering Malawi, Mozambique

Flooding in the Shire River valley in southern Malawi remains a major impediment to search and rescue efforts, aid agencies said. The World Food Program said Monday 1,500 people had been rescued by boats in Malawi’s flooded river valley.

Cyclones have been worsened by human-caused climate change, with warming temperatures making cyclones, wetter, more intense and more frequent. Richer nations that have industrialised have caused much of the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change with more vulnerable countries often bearing the brunt, a reality which led to a “loss and damage” fund for climate disasters being agreed last year.

“The destruction and suffering that I witnessed in southern Malawi is the human face of the global climate crisis,” said United Nations Resident Coordinator for Malawi, Rebecca Adda-Dontoh. “The people I met with — many of whom have lost their homes and loved ones — have done nothing to cause this crisis.”

Both Malawi and Mozambique were dealing with a cholera outbreak when Freddy hit, heightening fears that the cyclone will worsen the situation in nations where health and relief workers were already stretched thin.

Cyclone Freddy is on course to be the longest-ever cyclone in recorded history, with an expert panel convening to decide if the cyclone has overtaken the current record holder, 31-day Hurricane John in 1994.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

International News, Latest News, Sports
Lionel Messi bids farewell to father who guided his glittering career
August 9, 2026
ROSARIO, Argentina (AFP) -- Argentina football icon Lionel Messi bid farewell Sunday to his father Jorge, the global star's emotional anchor and agent...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
NBA Hall of Famer Don Nelson dies at 86
Latest News, Sports
NBA Hall of Famer Don Nelson dies at 86
August 9, 2026
SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) -- Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history and a five-time champion as a player with the Boston Celt...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Over 200 firefighters battle blaze in southern France
Latest News, News
Over 200 firefighters battle blaze in southern France
August 9, 2026
MENDE, France (AFP) — A fast-moving wildfire was raging in southern France on Sunday, forcing evacuations as more than 200 firefighters raced to conta...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Bartlett declares ‘the Age of Resilience’ in Canada, urges world to finance tourism’s future before the next crisis
Latest News, News
Bartlett declares ‘the Age of Resilience’ in Canada, urges world to finance tourism’s future before the next crisis
August 9, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Against the backdrop of smoke-filled Canadian skies and a global economy in flux, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Kingston men charged following robbery in Portmore
Latest News, News
Kingston men charged following robbery in Portmore
August 9, 2026
ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – Two men have been arrested and charged with robbery with aggravation, possession of prohibited weapon, using a firearm to comm...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
NaRRA CEO heads to Peru to examine resilience reconstruction practices
Latest News, News
NaRRA CEO heads to Peru to examine resilience reconstruction practices
August 9, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chief Executive Officer of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), Ambassador Antony Anderson, will travel t...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
CB Chicken fuels flavour and community spirit at Walkerswood Jerk Festival
Latest News, News
CB Chicken fuels flavour and community spirit at Walkerswood Jerk Festival
August 9, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Walkerswood Community Centre in St Ann came alive with food, entertainment and community spirit recently, as the fourth annual...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
St James High to benefit from charity 5k night run/walk
Latest News, News
St James High to benefit from charity 5k night run/walk
August 9, 2026
ST JAMES, Jamaica — St James High School, which is continuing its recovery from the impact of Hurricane Melissa, has been selected as the beneficiary ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct