AU Asks Malawi to Implement Long Term Measures That Reduce Disaster Effects

Ambassador Fathi Edrees

The African Union (AU) Permanent Representative Committee (PRC) Sub-Committee on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons has stressed the need for Malawi government and humanitarian actors to step up efforts that reduce the impact of disaster in future.

The delegation composed of three persons led by His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Fathi Edrees, Ambassador of Egypt to the AU and Ethiopia, were on a four day Humanitarian Assessment and Support Mission, a follow up on the consequences of the floods that occurred in January and resulted in displacement of thousands of Malawians.

The ambassador Mohamed Fathi Edrees after visiting affected areas of Phalombe, Chikwawa and Nsanje where they see for themselves of the magnitude of floods spoke highly that Malawi has to implement programmes that looks at how in future the country can reduce the impact of natural disasters like floods which have affected many Malawians.

He named problems the team has observed among them; diseases, food, shelter and health services then said "Our view is that the efforts should be empowered on both tracks” and named immediate and long term plans as very important aspects to consider.

He said urgent need is required particularly to adress insufficient basic needs and services for the victims. The Ambassador said Malawi must work on long term structured measures  that would increase resilience, preparedness and prevent the impact of natural disasters if the strike again in future so that it does not cause much pain as this year had.

“Of course as we saw the situation on the ground the situation is in the progress. As we have heard from the people the situation is improving but it is far from being over.”

Ambassador Edrees continued, “Still our brothers and sisters in camps have problems which we heard and listened to, and need to be addressed.” 

“But we understand that this situation is one of exceptional magnitude in relation to previous similar incidents this is apparently as we came to learn is one of the toughest strongest and far consequences” he said

Then said “Government level and all actors in the situation efforts should be stepped up to face urgent needs of on the short term and at the same time work on long term durable measures in order to address the long term aspect of this phenomena and prevent the repetition of suffering and painful experience which we witnessed as the aftermath of this dreadful floods.”

The delegation composed of three persons includes Ms Lisa Fergusson-Nicol, Senior Legal Officer at the AUC and, Mr. Cyprien Nthahomvukiye, Humantarian Affairs Officer at the AUC. It is also expected that the assessment mission will inform the PRC Sub-committee on ways to assist the government to effectively respond to the disaster situation.

AU Donates US$100 Thousand Towards Disaster Response Programme

Symbolic cheque 

The African Union Commission (AU) has assisted Malawi government with a contribution of US$100,000 (US$100 thousand) to help alleviate the impact of the floods on the people of Malawi.

His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Fathi Edrees, Ambassador of Egypt to the AU and Ethiopia, made the symbolic presentation of the donation through Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture Kondwani Nankhumwa on Thursday evening in the Capital, Lilongwe.

The ambassador Mohamed Fathi Edrees is leading the delegation from the AU Permanent Representative Committee (PRC) Sub-Committee on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons. The delegation composed of three persons were on a four day Humanitarian Assessment and Support Mission, following up on the consequences of the floods that occurred in January and resulted in displacement of thousands of Malawians. 

The team toured affected areas of Phalombe, Chikwawa and Nsanje districts after meetings with government officials and groups involved in humanitarian assistance to the recent floods.

“One important thing that we wanted to tell all our brothers and sisters here is that you are not alone.” Said Ambassador Mohamed Edresees while making assurance that African family will continue render support to Malawi in addressing some of the problems the floods have brought to the victims.

Ambassador Mohamed Edrees

“We also wanted not to stay at our offices and receive reports and just read and hear. Definitely seeing is not like hearing or reading. So it was important that we have this first hand encounter with the officials, peoples at the sites and different humanitarian actors and to have some sort of a more elaborate and comprehensive understanding of the situation.”

Receiving the donation, Hon Kondwani Nankhumwa said Malawi government is grateful of the kind gesture from the AU saying it will go a long way in the ongoing translocation and rehabilitation process. 

Hon Nankhumwa said the situation is now improving in the flood affected areas and that people will be relocated very soon. He also indicated that in some areas people have begun returning to their homes. 

However, Nankhumwa said currently, government is involved in the process of doing assessment of the damage caused by the floods and the report will be out very soon which will inform the financial resources, materials and technical support needed for the reconstruction and rehabilitation process.

Nkankhumwa has therefore asked governments and organizations to come in and assist Malawi as it is conducting reconstruction and rehabilitation process.

AU Decry Xenophobic Violence In South Africa

As acts of violence by South African citizens targeting foreign African nationals continue to soar in areas like KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, the African Union (AU) has condemned the attacks and call for immediate halt.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has described the attacks of foreign nationals specifically in the province of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa as “unacceptable, and unfortunate,” more particularly now as celebrations of Africa month approaches on 25 May where people remember the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, which played such a critical role in mobilizing international solidarity for the end of Apartheid.

Through AU Commission statement released on Thursday 16th April, 2015, Dlamini Zuma also says xenophobic attacks in South Africa are unacceptable whatever the challenges are, adding that no circumstances justify attacks on people, whether foreigners or locals. 

The Commission Chairperson has emphasized that challenges faced by South Africa, like poverty and unemployment, are equally experienced by all countries on the continent and needs all African nationals to work together to address these, and build a better future for all Africans. 

While appealed for dialogue in and amongst communities, to address the challenges and find peaceful solutions, the AU Commission welcomes the interventions from the South African government, including the deployment of the Inter-Ministerial committee to KwaZulu Natal to engage with those affected and with local communities, as well as the deployment of more police to instill peace and order.

Currently, Malawi government indicates about 420 Malawians are reportedly affected and are in temporary camps in South Africa. Only three (3) Malawians were seriously injured, one person heavily injured but the figure is expected to rise.

Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture hon Kondwani Nakhumwa says, Government of Malawi has set aside K30 million for the repatriation of its citizens wishing to return home voluntarily, escaping anti-immigrant (xenophobic) attacks.

Department of Disaster and Management Affairs is to coordinate the repatriation process with immediate effect and the returnees are expected this weekend.

Nankhumwa further says the Malawian Consulate and the High Commissioner’s office in South Africa are working hand in hand with the South African government on monitoring and assessing the situation on the ground on the production of temporally travel documents for the victims.