Xi sends condolences over deadly cyclone

President Xi Jinping has sent condolences to Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi over a deadly cyclone that first struck Mozambique in late February and then hit Malawi recently.

In his messages sent on March 20, Xi said he was shocked to learn of the heavy casualties and loss of property caused by Cyclone Freddy.

On behalf of the Chinese government and Chinese people, Xi expressed deep condolences for those killed in the disaster caused by Cyclone Freddy and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured. He said he believes the two countries will surely get through the disaster and rebuild their homes.

The deadly cyclone has displaced more than half a million people in Malawi, the UN said on March 21 as it warned of soaring humanitarian needs.

The UN’s International Organization for Migration said over 1 million people have been affected earlier in Madagascar and Mozambique, with more than 160,000 people internally displaced.