The United Kingdom has donated three specialist boats to Malawi to aid in search and rescue efforts, with hopes that the boats and training will help save lives in the country.
The boats were used by UK search and rescue experts to rescue at least 335 people, and were handed over to President Lazarus Chakwera by Acting British High Commissioner Sophia Willitts-King in Nsanje.
The donation comes as many parts of Nsanje District remain hard to reach or inaccessible, according to the British High Commission Office in Malawi.
On Thursday, a search and rescue team helped deliver vital food rations to over 61,000 displaced persons in the area.
In addition to the donation of boats, the United Kingdom has provided £1 million (about K1.3 billion) in lifesaving support to Malawi to assist in the response to a recent natural disaster. This emergency package of assistance includes a team of emergency medical personnel, a team with international search and rescue expertise (ISAR), specialist boats, and urgently needed emergency relief items such as shelter materials and water filters.
King Charles sent a message of support to Malawi President Dr Lazarus Chakwera, expressing his deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to the families of all those who have lost their loved ones in the disaster.
“I do hope the UK assistance we are providing will help Malawi through this difficult time,” King Charles said in his statement.
