Holidays in Malawi
The three major national holidays are:
- Independence Day, 6 July – celebrates the end of the British colonial status in 1964.
- Republic Day, 6 July – commemorates the formal declaration of the republic in 1966.
- Constitution Day, 18 May – celebrates the drafting of the first constitution as a democratic society in 1995.
Flood Disaster
Even though this flooding happened in January 2015, the effects are still being felt today. Approximately 8,000 farms were washed away.
International news coverage:
- Malawi floods devastation far worse than first thought – The Guardian: “UN agencies scale up response to disaster that has displaced nearly a quarter of a million people, and threatens disease and malnutrition.”
- Helping prevent disease in flood-stricken Malawi – WaterAid: “Torrential rains have brought massive floods to southern Malawi, killing 79 people, displacing over 170,000 and causing widespread destruction to homes, crops, livestock, infrastructure, and supplies of safe water.”
- Devastation and disease after deadly Malawi floods – Aljazeera: “Tens of thousands stranded after southern Africa country’s record floods face rising risk of disease outbreak.”
- Malawi floods kill 170 and leave thousands homeless – BBC News: “The authorities in Malawi say at least 170 people have died in flash floods – a sharp rise on previous figures.”
- Floodlist – Malawi: “UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs say that 106,000 people from over 19,000 households have been displaced by the floods. This figure has increased from 70,000 earlier this week. The death toll remains at 48, although at least 19 people remain missing.”
- Supporting thousands left homeless by forceful Malawi floods – Christian Aid: “Torrential rain and severe flooding across Malawi has left more than 121,000 people homeless. We are acting fast to provide emergency shelter and provisions to thousands in distress.”