Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Floods, 01-30-2012
Beginning in mid-January 2012, heavy rains generated by Tropical Cyclone Funso resulted in localized flooding in low-lying areas of Nsanje District, southern Malawi, affecting approximately 2,500 households as of January 30. Floods damaged or destroyed houses, roads, and bridges, limiting affected populations’ access to markets, health facilities, and schools. The Government of Malawi (GoM), the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Malawi Red Cross Society evacuated and provided emergency shelter materials to affected individuals. Authorities reported no deaths as of January 30, although affected communities remained at risk for waterborne illnesses.
On January 30, 2012, U.S. Ambassador Jeanine E. Jackson declared a disaster due to the effects of the floods. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Malawi to Catholic Relief Services for distribution of emergency relief supplies.
Additional Disaster Declarations:
Earthquakes, 12-21-2009
On December 20, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Karonga District, northern Malawi, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake was the latest in a series of earthquakes to have affected the district since November 25. According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the earthquakes cumulatively killed four people, injured more than 300 people, affected approximately 28,000 others, and damaged nearly 4,000 buildings. Following the earthquakes, the Government of Malawi (GoM) appealed for international aid and set up a camp to shelter 3,000 displaced people. In addition, the GoM, U.N. agencies, and non-governmental organizations distributed emergency relief supplies and food aid to affected populations. Based on assessments conducted by the GoM and relief agencies, U.S. Embassy and USAID/Malawi staff noted a particular need for shelter materials and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions to benefit displaced and disaster-affected populations.
On December 21, U.S. Ambassador Peter W. Bodde declared a disaster due to the effects of the earthquakes. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Malawi to Catholic Relief Services for water and sanitation supplies, hygiene education, and shelter materials to benefit approximately 2,700 disaster-affected people.
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