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Scores of Children in Despair as Parents Still Missing

Dr Mpanga Munthali (right) and Sabawo Dr Mpanga Munthali (right) and Sabawo - pic by Christopher Sande

As government and partners continue to support flood survivors, scores of children are in a state of shock and despair at Kapeni demonstration, Manja and other rescue centres in Ndirande township in Blantyre and Likoswe and Mpama in Chiradzulu as their parents are still missing due to the effects of cyclone Freddy.

We saw desperation and hopelessness among children and women who now lack basic necessities.

They lack food, clothes, blankets, inadequate accommodation, and toilets among others.

One of the children at Manja rescue centre, a 15-year-old girl said her mother was swept away on Sunday because of running waters from Soche hill, leaving behind a two-year-old child who she is now nursing.

Meanwhile, a well-wisher, Benedicto Bena Nkhoma has donated assorted items worth K2 million at Kapeni demonstration while Oliver Kabambe of Bao Malata says the company has set aside 10 million kwacha to support victims in the southern region with Malawi Agriculture and Industry Investment Corporation donating blankets worth K3.5 million to affected households at Mpama in Chiradzulu.

The cyclone has killed hundreds and injured several others as the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital says it has now operated on more than 30 people who broke their bones due to the effects of cyclone Freddy as 30 others are expecting to go through the same process.

The hospital Deputy Director of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Dr Chikumbutso Mpanga Munthali told us on Thursday afternoon that 60 patients were discharged with 15 children that got serious injuries now being treated at Beit Cure International.

Meanwhile, president of Malawi Orthopaedic Association Maureen Sabawo says her organisation has since supported the central hospital with additional doctors and medical supplies worth K11 million with funding from AO Alliance Foundation to Queens and other district hospitals to assist patients with bone related challenges.

Apart from Blantyre and Chiradzulu, the cyclone also hit hard in some parts of Chikwawa, Nsanje, Phalombe, Mulanje, Machinga, Thyolo and Mangochi.

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