The Government of Flanders earmarks EUR 200,000 in emergency aid for the victims of cyclone Freddy that hit Malawi a few weeks ago. The funds will be transferred to the Red Cross Flanders, which is working closely together with the Red Cross Malawi on the ground. Flemish Minister Matthias Diependaele announced this news during his visit to the country from 24 to 26 March. “Flanders has been active in Malawi since 2007, supporting numerous projects there. With the country being hit very hard again, we want to increase our aid even more. I visited part of the disaster area, and the situation there is horrendous. With our practical help, we can make the lives of many women, children and men a little less hopeless,” said Minister Diependaele.

The Red Cross Flanders will donate another EUR 100,000.
In addition, the Government of Flanders makes annual contributions to two structural funds that focus on emergency aid: the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) which receives an annual contribution of EUR 600,000 and the Humanitarian Window of the Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund, which receives a contribution of EUR 156,666 per year. The CERF has already pledged USD 5.5 million for emergency aid to Malawi.

The emergency aid will contribute towards activities already under way in the region. The most urgent needs are search and rescue operations to locate the missing people and the distribution of food, tent tarpaulins, mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets and cooking equipment. The funds will also be spent on providing first aid, psychosocial assistance and basic healthcare in areas where the hospital is damaged. To prevent cholera outbreaks, new latrines and personal hygiene kits are also being sent.