The Government of Malawi has declared a State of Disaster in areas hit by ongoing heavy rains and floods since last week. Flooding caused by the Tropical Cyclone Idai weather system since early March had affected more than 922,900 people according to the Government of Malawi, with 56 deaths and 577 injuries recorded. More than 82,700 people are estimated to be displaced, while rapid needs assessments continue in the hardest-hit areas to verify initial estimates and determine the number of people in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. Satellite imagery shows Chikawa district as particularly affected.

Rapid needs assessments are ongoing in the areas hardest-hit by rains and flooding, in Nsanje and Phalombe. Search and rescue efforts are underway, drones and boats have been deployed to assist with search and rescue. The Government has appealed for support in terms of provision of emergency relief items, including tents, food, medicines and helicopters for rescue operations and delivery of assistance.

One OCHA IMO is in Lilongwe and working with counterparts from national authorities (DODMA) on the analysis of data. One OCHA staff has been supporting assessments during the past days in Nsanje, the most affected district, and estimation is that in the hardest-hit area (Mlolo) between 1,500-2,000 households will be in need of humanitarian assistance. OCHA staff is travelling to Phalombe today, Thursday, to gain a better understanding of the situation there.

Imagery is being received from multiple sources: UNICEF is utilizing drones to support mapping and analysis and have just shared their first overview. OCHA has also requested activation of UNOSAT.