Update: The death toll from recent heavy rains and floods across Malawi has risen to 22, according to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs. As of March 22, 84 people have been injured and nearly 140,000 individuals have been affected by the extreme weather, with 1,164 households currently sheltering in 31 camps. ReliefWeb reports that the Malawian government and humanitarian partners are providing emergency relief to over 21,000 displaced households and 4 million food-insecure people nationwide.
In response to the flooding, private relief efforts have continued to expand. On Sunday, Apostle Clifford Kawinga of Salvation For All Ministries International delivered aid to 640 flood-hit households in the Kawere area of Mchinji, Nyasa Times reports. Through the Hope Field Initiative, displaced families received maize flour, blankets, and plastic sheeting. Kawinga also announced plans to establish three farming clubs that will distribute agricultural inputs to 600 households to help restore local farming.
Data regarding the total economic toll of extreme weather on Malawi was also published this week. An aggregated post-disaster assessment reveals that the country lost at least $1.42 billion to major climate-related disasters between 2015 and 2023, according to AllAfrica. The financial damage from recurring floods, droughts, and cyclones has outpaced the country's recovery capacity, with total reconstruction needs over the same eight-year period exceeding $2.04 billion.
Meanwhile, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has forecast occasionally windy and cloudy conditions across the country for March 24 through March 28. The department noted that localized thunderstorms and continued rainfall driven by unstable easterlies are expected, which could affect ongoing flood recovery operations.