Disaster relief for Malawi

Hundreds of thousands of people in Malawi who have been displaced by severe flooding as a result of Tropical Storm Ana are to receive financial support from the Scottish Government.

The £400,000 will go to the British Red Cross as part of the Storm Ana Emergency Appeal to support the Malawi Red Cross.

As well as meeting the immediate needs of families affected by the disaster, the organisation is supporting communities to rebuild their homes and livelihoods as well as helping to improve resilience against future disasters.

In late January this year, Tropical Storm Ana struck Madagascar, Mozambique and Malawi with high winds and torrential rains.

The region has been struck repeatedly by severe storms and cyclones in recent years which have taken lives, destroyed homes, infrastructure and crops and displaced large numbers of people.

Malawi’s government declared a state of disaster in 15 districts on 26 January and the current situation has the potential to escalate as the country continues to experience stormy rains resulting in further flooding.

International Development Minister Neil Gray said:

“Scotland has strong links with Malawi and we are working closely with the government there to provide what they need to recover from this crisis and strengthen their resilience to future shocks.

“This support is part of the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment as a good global citizen to respond to humanitarian emergencies across the world.”

British Red Cross' Scotland Director Marie Hayes said:

"Tropical Storm Ana destroyed homes and crops, leaving 680,000 people in need of life-saving and life-sustaining humanitarian assistance.

"Thanks to this generous donation from the Scottish Government, we will be able to support the Malawi Red Cross to deliver immediate help to the people there who need it most."