Manchester student caught up in deadly cyclone in Malawi tells of destruction as she helps provide aid

A student from the University of Manchester caught up in a deadly cyclone that hit parts of Africa has told of the destruction around her. Around 1,000 people are believed to have been killed and tens of thousands more left homeless after Cyclone Freddy hit Mozambique and Malawi last month.

Lizzie Beach was volunteering at a children's home in Malawi when disaster struck. Thankfully, where she was in Limbe, Blantyre, wasn't too badly affected, but for those in the surrounding communities, the damage has been devastating.

“When Cyclone Freddy hit, I was at the children's home, and luckily, our house wasn't too badly affected. We had a few leaks in the roof and our garden partially flooded, but in general, we were okay.

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“The story, however, was not the same for a number of houses in the surrounding area, and for so many families across the southern districts of Malawi.

Lizzie, who is studying International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response at UoM, arrived in Malawi in September 2022 and lives on site at the children’s home.

“At the home, I support the education and social development of the 23 children living there. I also teach in the mornings at a local primary school.

“There, I lead lessons for English and Maths for a broad range of classes: Nursery and Reception, and Years 1, 4 and 7,” she says.

When disaster struck in Malawi, known as the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’, Lizzie told the Manchester Evening News she was desperate to help those affected by Cyclone Freddy.

“The overall impact on the country has been devastating, with figures showing that nearly 500 people have died and over 500,000 have been displaced.

“The resilience and generosity,