Chigwaja Cyclone Freddy Relief
In early 2023, Cyclone Freddy struck Malawi with unprecedented force, leaving behind a trail of devastation. The Southern region bore the brunt of the disaster, with strong winds, flash floods, mudslides, and landslides affecting 15 districts. More than 670 lives were lost, and over 2 million farmers lost their crops and livestock. The destruction of 179,000 hectares of farmland plunged already vulnerable communities deeper into poverty and displacement.
The Makazi Foundation mobilized quickly to support those who had received little to no aid, focusing our relief efforts in the Chigwaja area; a severely affected yet overlooked community.
About the project
Starting point
While many regions received emergency relief, our team discovered that Chigwaja had not yet received any assistance. During our initial site visit, we found that over 30 families had lost their homes, with minimal food available; often only fried maize once or twice a day.
Moved by the urgent need and harsh conditions, we launched a targeted response to bring immediate relief to the families most affected.
Support from local communities
With the support of local chiefs and village headmen, we were able to coordinate effectively and ensure that help reached those in greatest need. As of September 2023, The Makazi Foundation has conducted two donation visits to Chigwaja:
On our first visit, we provided over 200 people with:
Food supplies
Blankets and clothes
Buckets and other essential items
On our second visit, we donated reusable sanitary pads to girls and women, addressing an often-overlooked but critical need in disaster response.
We also worked closely with community leaders to introduce structure and fairness in the distribution process; ensuring that donated resources were shared transparently and efficiently within the camp.
Chigwaja, Blantyre
Gratitude and Collective Impact
his effort was only possible thanks to the incredible outpouring of generosity from our supporters. From individuals who donated goods to those who helped spread the word; your compassion made a tangible difference.
To everyone who answered our call, thank you. Your kindness restored hope and dignity to families who had lost nearly everything. We remain committed to standing with the people of Chigwaja, and all vulnerable communities, through recovery and beyond.
