First has been Zambia which has offered, among others, two aircraft (for rescue and recovery), tents, mosquito nets and food items, most of which have already arrived in Malawi.

The items arrived via a military aircraft through Kamuzu International Airport and via road from the Chipata border.

Zambia's Permanent Secretary for Eastern Provence Paul Thole said President Hakainde Hichilema mourns with Malawians, hence the donation.

Tanzania has donated cash and supplies for humanitarian assistance toward survivors of Cyclone Freddy related disasters worth about K1 billion (US1m).

A statement from the office of the Tanzanian High Commissioner to Malawi states that the country will also send to Malawi “two heavy military helicopters” along with 100 soldiers to support the rescue operations and provide humanitarian assistance.

The United Kingdom has sent a search and rescue team to Malawi to offer expertise on the country's rescue efforts, said a statement released on Friday.

The statement on UK in Malawi official social media pages says the first part of the team, seven members, has arrived in the country, while the last the 20 will on Sunday.

President Lazarus Chakwera, meanwhile, says the death toll from the devastating cyclone has soured to 360 from 326, but the figure is likely to rise as more places become accessible.

The president said this in his address to the nation last night, adding the number of people reported missing has reached 282 from 201 and those displaced has surpassed 180, 000. 

The president is on a tour of the affected districts.