Help Malawi communities recover from Cyclone Freddy

Malawi has recently been very hard hit by cyclone Freddy with heavy rain and strong winds causing massive flooding and huge damage, including the loss of many lives.

The worst of the weather has now passed and the disruption to tourism will only be temporary; but for the rural communities most impacted, especially around the worst hit areas of the southern region, this will be life-changing. Those who have lost their homes need immediate help, and there is much re-building work to be done.

As ever, Malawi’s tourism industry has been quick to act and mobilise to assist their local communities. Fisherman’s Rest (south of Blantyre) have set up this appeal and in the message below, local operator Crafted Africa have provided direct links for those who wish to contribute to the relief effort, to ensure their donations will be used most effectively.

Any support you can give will be very gratefully received.

Crafted Africa’s appeal for help in the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy:

The people of Malawi need help…

This weekend 99 people were killed overnight in Malawi as mudslides caused by Cyclone Freddy swept away houses and their sleeping occupants. Over a thousand have been displaced so far.

The UN’s World Meteorological Organization has said that Cyclone Freddy is on track to becoming the longest-lasting tropical storm on record. Moreover, it’s “rare” and dangerous loop trajectory meant many areas were hit twice.

Although it has also hit Madagascar and Mozambique, Malawi has by far borne the brunt of its destructive path. High poverty rates mean that people living in poorly built housing and with no resources to help them through the storm have been left completely vulnerable to the effects of the cyclone.

As you know, we donate to worthy causes covering a wide range of areas from fighting breast cancer with Think Pink to building schools with Round Table. To assist with Cyclon Freddy relief efforts, we have donated money, water, water treatments, and other essential supplies to some extraordinary homegrown relief efforts. But it is nowhere near enough.

If you would like to help please consider donating to one of the causes below. The people of Malawi are known and loved around the world for their resilience and positivity but right now, they need help. If you can, please donate.

Thank you for your time.

Onjezani Stanley Kenani

Onjezani is a brilliant Malawian currently working as an auditor with the United Nations in Genenva. He has over 12 years of financial and administrative experience which he has selflessly used to mobilize funds from across the world and organize relief efforts in times of crisis in Malawi.

He is well-known for having almost independently executed an effective and transparent COVID-19 response. He is now doing the same thing for the victims of Cyclone Freddy. Not only is he organizing funds from across the world and bringing together citizens and businesses to forward the cause, he is also posting proof of all payments received, money spent, account balances and activities through his personal Facebook page. He has even invited auditing companies to provide pro-bono audits of his efforts. This level of transparency is rare even in established NGOs.

Click here to Donate

Round Table 32 Lilongwe

The Round Table is a non-political, non-sectarian, charitable organization for men between the ages of 18 and 40. It’s members organize and engage in social and community service activities in the communities in which it operates.

Crafted Africa has supported a variety of their initiatives including a beer festival which raised funds to support various charities, including those focusing on tackling breast awareness. Last year we supported their Golf Day which raised funds to build a community school.

Click here to Donate