By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Starr FmStarr FmStarr Fm
  • Home
  • Election Hub
  • General
    GeneralShow More
    BoG staff were on probation, not dismissed – Mahama Ayariga clarifies
    June 27, 2025
    Bank of Ghana cautions public against 10 unlicensed Money Transfer Organisations
    June 27, 2025
    Government launches National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS)
    June 27, 2025
    Indian Prime Minister to visit Ghana July 2–3 for bilateral talks
    June 27, 2025
    Torkornoo running ‘amok’; Judicial Council must guide her – Ansah Asare
    June 27, 2025
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Bank of Ghana cautions public against 10 unlicensed Money Transfer Organisations
    June 27, 2025
    Chief Of Staff strengthens Ghana–China investment ties
    June 27, 2025
    24-hour economy officially takes off on July 2 – Goosie Tanoh confirms
    June 27, 2025
    Consumer Groups slam PURC over unjustified 2.45% electricity tariff hike
    June 26, 2025
    GCAA and South Korea sign deal to advance Ghana’s Drone sector
    June 25, 2025
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    BoG staff were on probation, not dismissed – Mahama Ayariga clarifies
    June 27, 2025
    Government launches National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS)
    June 27, 2025
    Torkornoo running ‘amok’; Judicial Council must guide her – Ansah Asare
    June 27, 2025
    Torkornoo’s nomination was problematic from onset – Ansah Asare
    June 27, 2025
    Mahama appoints Bridget Otoo as Presidential Staffer
    June 27, 2025
  • Entertainment
    EntertainmentShow More
    Akwaboah to release heartfelt single ‘Smile Again feat Nadia Buari
    June 26, 2025
    A Call for Greater Regional Representation in Ghana Music Awards Presentations
    June 25, 2025
    Sparqlyn wins 2025 APLA African Best Ghanaian Musician award in Lagos
    June 24, 2025
    W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation commemorates 40th anniversary of historic Du Bois Centre’s dedication
    June 24, 2025
    Smirnoff In The Mix returns with street edition
    June 24, 2025
  • Sports
    SportsShow More
    Kotoko and Hearts set for epic showdown in 2025 President’s Cup
    June 26, 2025
    Ghana Swimming Association inaugurates LOC for Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Junior and Senior Swimming Championships
    June 26, 2025
    Para Athletics Association of Ghana schedule for nationwide talent identification program
    June 26, 2025
    CAF confirms registration dates and match schedule for 2025/26 interclub competitions
    June 26, 2025
    Black Queens defeat Benin 4–2 in WAFCON 2025 warm-up clash
    June 25, 2025
  • Technology
    TechnologyShow More
    GCAA and South Korea sign deal to advance Ghana’s Drone sector
    June 25, 2025
    Onafriq, PAPSS partner to launch cross-border payment services in Ghana 
    June 20, 2025
    Yellow Card, Visa partner to accelerate stablecoin adoption across emerging economies
    June 19, 2025
    Samsung takes Galaxy Z Series to a new era
    June 18, 2025
    AgriTech Challenge Pro showcases potential of the agricultural sector to create jobs for the youth
    May 29, 2025
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    Indian Prime Minister to visit Ghana July 2–3 for bilateral talks
    June 27, 2025
    Starrfm.com.gh
    Former Ambassador to U.S. lied about optional services at Embassy – Ablakwa fires back
    June 26, 2025
    Ghana risks US visa ban over high student overstay rates – Okudzeto Ablakwa
    June 26, 2025
    Save lives, don’t drop bombs – Mahama urges world leaders at Gavi summit
    June 26, 2025
    GCAA and South Korea sign deal to advance Ghana’s Drone sector
    June 25, 2025
  • Factometer
Search
© 2024 EIB Network Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Searching for my daughter-in-law in the mud
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Starr FmStarr Fm
Font ResizerAa
  • Headlines
  • Election Hub
  • General
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Factometer
Search
  • Headlines
  • Election Hub
  • General
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Factometer
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 EIB Network Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Editors PickInternational

Searching for my daughter-in-law in the mud

Starrfm.com.gh By Starrfm.com.gh Published March 18, 2023
Share
SHARE

Violet Frank’s two grandchildren serve as reminders of her missing daughter-in-law.

It is feared her name will be added to those of more than 300 who died when Cyclone Freddy struck Malawi at the beginning of the week.

The youngsters had gone to stay with Violet just days before and escaped the fate of their mother, who fell victim to the unforgiving power of a landslide.

“She was with my son in their matrimonial home in Chilobwe. He stepped outside their home when he heard neighbours screaming and things falling with a loud bang outside their house,” Violet said.

“Luckily, he survived. He was taken to hospital by well-wishers. But we do not know where his wife is.”

When we met Violet, she was staring at what was left of her son’s home. A huge boulder sat in the middle of the two-bedroom house, the memories there smashed to pieces.

A few metres away, rescue teams were retrieving a body from the rubble and mud. It was not Violet’s daughter-in-law.

She asked one of the officials to help look for her loved one, but she did not get an answer.

“When you tell [the rescue teams] where to look for people, they do not go there. They are only retrieving bodies in the places that are not as badly affected.

“But what about our people? When will they go to look for them?”

Chilobwe was one of the areas worst affected by the landslides that hit Malawi’s commercial hub, Blantyre.

The advice that most residents received from the authorities before the cyclone struck was to stay indoors, but that was not much help.

It is not clear how many houses were destroyed in Chilobwe, but we saw huge piles of boulders and trees that had flattened people’s houses.

Other homes were washed away by torrents of water or buried under mudslides.

Areas that had been green and bustling with small businesses were in a sombre mood.

There was still activity – but of a different kind, with the community helping to look for the missing.

Those whose houses are still standing carry hoes and shovels to comb through the debris looking for bodies.

When we met Richard Galeta, 34, he was dressed in a white protective suit, worn by people who have volunteered to help bury victims. Richard buried his wife and child on Wednesday.

“I was working hard for them. Now that they are gone, I don’t know what to do,” he said.

“The last thing that I told my wife is that I am going to give her money this week to go and visit her parents. But now I must be the one to go and visit them and share the bad news.”

He is now living in a temporary camp set up at a local primary school.

Richard said life there was not easy. He accused those running it of not looking after the victims properly, saying that getting enough food was a major challenge.

“A lot of organisations have brought us food. But it is just rotting in one of the classrooms that have been turned in storage facilities,” he added.

Malinga Namuku, who is in charge of the camp for the Malawi Red Cross, said they were feeding people, but it was sometimes “hard for volunteers to keep track of who has been fed and who hasn’t”. “But we are trying our best.”

There were a lot of children at the shelter running around and playing with makeshift balloons created out of surgical gloves. Looking at them it did not feel like it was a disaster zone. This is something some experts say will probably register in their minds later.

Richard Galeta lost his wife and child in the mudslides

Dr Charles Mwansambo, Malawi’s Principal Health Secretary, said the mental health of the survivors was a critical issue that the authorities will need to attend to over the next few weeks.

The camp houses about 5,000 people and many others were arriving in the hope of finding a dry place to stay.

Most of the people living in the camp have nowhere else to go and are in distress, as they are unable to trace their loved ones.

This weather is making it difficult for search-and-rescue teams to find people. On some days teams would stop halfway through the activity either because it had rained, or there was too much fog.

Those helping with the search include the police service, the military and international organisations. The police are also using dogs to locate bodies.

As of Friday, more than 300 deaths had been confirmed in Malawi, with more in neighbouring Mozambique, and more than 80,000 people had been forced to leave their homes.

The death toll is likely to rise over the next few weeks as the weather clears and makes it easier for rescuers to continue their grim work.

At least 200 people are still missing – among them Violet’s daughter-in-law. She just hopes her body will be found so that she can be given a fitting burial.

Source: BBC

You Might Also Like

TBFA hosts African Governance and Anti-Corruption Summit 2025

Indian Prime Minister to visit Ghana July 2–3 for bilateral talks

Former Ambassador to U.S. lied about optional services at Embassy – Ablakwa fires back

Ghana risks US visa ban over high student overstay rates – Okudzeto Ablakwa

Save lives, don’t drop bombs – Mahama urges world leaders at Gavi summit

TAGGED:malawi
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Share
Previous Article Abortion pills banned in Wyoming as Texas judge considers nationwide decision
Next Article Herbert Mensah elected President of Rugby Africa in South Africa

Starr 103.5FM

Starr FmStarr Fm
Follow US
© 2024 EIB Network Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
newsletter icon
Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest in news, podcasts etc..

[mc4wp_form]
Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Our site is an advertising supported site. Please whitelist to support our site.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?