Malawi Cyclone Freddy affected 500,000 people: United Nations

United Nations: More than 500,000 people have been affected by Cyclone Freddy, including at least 326 in the East African country of Malawi. Malawi Situation The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCH) said the government had reported 442 people rescued during relief and rescue operations on Thursday alone. At the same time, more than 180,000 people have been rendered homeless. The office said government-led relief efforts expand as floodwaters recede and focus on reaching displaced people.

OCHA said some areas remain cut off due to extremely challenging conditions on the ground. Aid workers are mobilizing air transport and boats to carry supplies and relief and rescue efforts to places that cannot be reached by road. The office said humanitarian partners are concerned about the risk of cholera spreading in flood-affected areas, especially in crowded displacement sites. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its partners are working to clean toilets in schools serving as shelters in Blantyre and will also install water storage bladders to provide safe drinking water.