Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in Malawi following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which raged through its neighbouring nations Mozambique and Madagascar, before reaching the southern African nation on 13th March 2023. Severe weather conditions such as flash flooding and mudslides unfortunately claimed over 900 lives, and destroyed many homes and properties.

Malawi has in recent years continued to bear the brunt of the most adverse climate change related disasters. Following Cyclone Freddy, the President of the Republic of Malawi President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera appealed to the international community for humanitarian support, including outreach to organisations who work in close partnership with the government.

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) – forged to organise and accelerate scalable, clean energy solutions in low and middle income countries – was quick to respond, seeking to understand not only how a lack of energy access would impact recovery efforts, but also the many people now living in evacuation camps.

Energy access isn’t often the first issue to which thought is given following catastrophic weather events such as Cyclone Freddy. Yet, a lack of energy can impact the safety and security of communities in the midst of a disaster and during recovery, where access to light, cooking [and medical] facilities, and charging outlets are crucial. As our warming world faces more severe weather, GEAPP is working to speed inclusive, economically-viable, energy transitions that boost the resilience of local communities, protecting people and preserving the planet.