Cyclone damage, crime in Malawi highlight need for national restoration, healing

By Rev Edward Mikwamba coordinator for National Repentance Malawi

Malawi’s economy is continuing to nosedive due to, among others the Covid-19 pandemic and destruction to roads, schools, houses and bridges countrywide caused by Cyclone Ana.

The cyclone which first struck in late January and also affected Madagaecar, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe reached speeds of 100kph and has affected 1 million people, causing about 50 deaths, and leaving scores buried in debris and tens of thousands homeless.

Malawi’s presisent Lazarus Chakwera declared a state of national disaster in some districts. Worst-affected areas include Lower Shire River districts of Chikwawa and Nsanje, as well as Mangochi, Salima, Mulanje and Blantyre.

It was heartbreaking to see some houses falling and other people losing their lives.

The president said in these days of many challenges and evil there is a need to respond with aggressive prayer and evangelism

He said that physical food relief efforts underway need to be backed up with spiritual counselling for cyclone victims.

National Repentance Malawi hosted 40 days of repentance from November 28 last year to January 10 to pray for Malawi and for good weather. The prayers were done In partnership with Mercy Tent Congregation and Pastor’s Peacemakers Fraternal.

Government authorities are encouraging citizens to plant more trees to fight “climate change” while intercessors say more prayer is needed to avert further weather-related calamities and possible pandemics
As the cyclone has swept away some crops this threatens the nation’s crop yield and agro-based economy is agrobased.

This week it was reported in the media that thieves ransacked a relief camp in Nsanje, making off with 100 bags of maize flour meant for flood victims. In the same area people broke into the house of Catholic Bishop Musikuwa thinking he was keeping money for cyclone victims.

In other recent crime incidents criminals butchered a Revenue Authority official in his own home after work and a prominent Blantyre murder was slain by unknown attackers.

In all these challenges Malawi needs restoration and healing according to 2 chronicles 7 v 14.

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