Update: The death toll from recent heavy rains and flash floods across Malawi has risen to 22, according to a March 23 report from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs published via ReliefWeb. Authorities note that 84 people have been injured and nearly 140,000 individuals are affected across 18 councils. Currently, 1,164 households are seeking shelter in 31 evacuation camps. The Malawian government and various humanitarian partners are actively distributing relief assistance to over 21,000 flood-affected households and 4 million food-insecure people nationwide.
In a separate case involving state security agencies, Amnesty International has called on Malawian authorities to return 79 shipping containers confiscated from 39 refugees and asylum seekers. According to a statement released by the rights group on March 23, the containers were initially seized by the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Defence Force in May 2023 and were recently auctioned on March 11. Amnesty International is demanding a clear and transparent process that allows recognized refugees and asylum seekers to verify ownership and reclaim their confiscated merchandise and stored grain.