By Isaac Salima
President Lazarus Chakwera Wednesday led Malawians at a service held in honour of Tropical Cyclone Freddy victims in Mulanje District.
Addressing people at a jam-packed Mulanje Park Stadium, the President urged Malawians to remember those that succumbed to cyclone-induced floods.
The cyclone made landfall in Malawi on March 11 last year, causing massive devastation in Southern Region districts of the country.
“These were the people who were of great value to their families and the country at large. Some were parents, farmers, business operators, employees, you name it, but all these [people’s lives] came to a halt because of the deaths.
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To us who are still alive, we can remember them not only by thinking about them but, rather, by living a life which is of benefit and value to the country,” Chakwera said.
The President added that Malawians are one and that, as such, they should have unity of purpose.
“We should remember these departed [people] by recognising every Malawian as [being] of great value to the country and also by promoting co-existence. These confrontations won’t lead us anywhere. The disaster affected us all because we are one family,” Chakwera said.
Chakwera has since urged people to continue supporting Freddy survivors.
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“We should still channel our resources to Dodma (Department of Disaster Management Affairs) because these people are still struggling and need our support. Let us continue doing [things] the way we responded [to the disaster] during the Tigwirane Manja initiative,” he said.
The President also assured Malawians that restoration of public infrastructure— such as roads and bridges— that was destroyed by ravaging waters— is ongoing, citing Thuchira bridge at Nkando in Mulanje.
On his part, Natural Resources and Climate Change Minister Michael Usi urged people to move out of disaster-prone areas.
“We lost many lives and, where possible, let us move out of areas that put us at risk of such disasters. The natural eventualities seem to be here to stay and, where possible, let us place ourselves in areas where we are safe,” he said.
At the event, members of the clergy took turns in praying for the country.
At least 679 people died during the devastation, with 537 others still missing.
About 2.2 million households were affected, with 659,278 people displaced.
The event, which was attended by Vice President Saulos Chilima and First Lady Monica, was held under the theme ‘A Resilient Nation Towards Recovery
