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.

Research Shows Social Cash Transfer Programme Is Supporting Utra-poor Households

Government says positive strides are being registerd in the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) observed since its introduction in 2006.

The programme targets 10% ultra-poor and labour constrained families in the national population.

It has an objective of improving resilience and the quality of life of the poor to move out of poverty and vulnerability through increase in school enrolment and attendance, improve health and nutrition of children as well as reducing poverty and hunger among the target group.

Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare honorable Patricia Kaliati says a recent evaluation by Boston University and Centre for Social Research at Chancellor College has shown that the programme currently reaching out to 104,908 households has met its objectives. 

Hon Kaliati says now supported families are among others able to engage in small scale businesses, employ labour in their field as well as have improved nutritional and health status.

"The Social Cash Transfer Programme is effective and has born remarkable impact on the utra-poor and labour constrained houses holds." 

"We have registered improvements in school enrollment and attendance from both primary and secondary school. We have seen people building good houses out of benefits from cash transfer programme, and also these families are able to eat two meals a day." Says Kaliati

Currently the programme is in 18 out of 28 districts in the country and the minister assured that in two year time the government plans to spread it into the remaining districts.

The programme provides monthly cash transfers to the households calculated based on the households structure plus the number of school going children in the beneficiary households.

Cash transferred to household beneficiaries includes school bonus for each child enrolled in primary and secondary school for school related materials such as uniform, notebooks pens and other materials. However the minister has revealed that the transfers provided to beneficiaries is being reviewed to an average of K4,500 per household per month based on cost of living which is yet to be approved.

SCTP is being implemented with financial support from Malawi government, German Government, Irish Government, European Union and World Bank.

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.

TNM takes ‘SMART DATA” to Mzuzu University...

Nesnes recent performance at Polytechnic

Students set for Smart Data Campus Promotion & blitz during
Social Weekend

TNM Smart Data has announced the sponsorship of the Mzuzu University (MZUNI) Students’ Social Weekend from 1st to 3rd May, 2015.

During the Mzuni students’ social weekend, Malawi’s premier mobile telecommunication company, TNM, will be brushing shoulders with University

students with their Internet baby; Smart Data.  On the weekend, TNM aims at

demonstrating reliability, affordability and most importantly a great variety of bundles that have been introduced as an icing on the cake of their advanced internet offerings. 

Essentially, TNM aims to empower students and everyone in Malawi to minimise the hassle in information and networking as they have a package of bundles that fit each person’s internet needs.

‘Smart Data” is TNM’s revolutionary basket of innovative products powered

by the Internet. The bouquet is helping enrich the TNM customer experience on the Internet as users now enjoy easy access to social networks and browsers such as Opera Mini. Heavy downloaders and merely fun-seekers are all taken care of in this consortium of advanced smart access to data services.

Announcing the sponsorship, TNM Head of Region for North, Richard Kwatiwani said Smart Data unlocks the barrier of access to academic and social

information for students.

“Internet is what every student needs in their academic life and it adds value to their social networking edge. With Smart Data, TNM offers a wide variety of internet bundles for the students to choose from according to their needs,” he said.

Kwatiwani said the Social Weekend will provide a platform for students to

appreciate Smart Data through a Smart Data Students’ promotion in which lucky students will win Smartphones, Dongles and various TNM merchandise.

He encouraged all interested people in Mzuzu to be part of the fun this weekend as TNM has also featured young urban music stars Nesnes (who did the Smart theme song with Gwamba) and Blakjak to headline and reinforce the messaging. 

“Smart Data presents a complete shift in TNM’s core data proposition in that it has come to enrich our customers’ experience and our staff will be

available during the social gathering in order to provide information about the product,” assured Kwatiwani.

Events will hit a climax on Saturday night as a Mr and Miss Smart Data will be crowned during the event.

The company also sponsored the Polytechnic social weekend which was held from 6th to 8th March, 2015 where Evans Banda and Vanessa Thyolani were crowned Mr and Miss Smart Data respectively. The two received Huawei Ascend Y221 smartphones from TNM.

Former MYPs Fighting For Leadership As Govt Is Yet To Pay Compensation

Concerned Ex-MYP Victims of 1993/94 Operation
Bwezani during 2014 petition to president Banda

Tension have emerged in the group of dismembered Malawi Young Pioneers (MYP) on who should lead their group and who should negotiate with government on their outstanding grievances.

MYP ended during disarmament of 1993 Operation Bwezani but they rejoined to ask government to give them compensation and premature retirement packages.

In 2012, government halted payment parade of their retirement packages after it was found that there were some ghost members on the payment list. Grey Chisale who led the unified MYP group was accused of perpetrating such malpractice and was ousted by angered members.

Almost three years after the incident the former MYP leader, Grey Chisale has now began issue warnings to the group now being led by Pastor Pearson Banda to stop engaging with government on revamping the payment parade saying government still recognise him as the leader for Defunct MYPs.

Chisale warning follows the recent petition which the group now known as Concerned Ex-MYPs Victims of 1993 Operation Bwezani led by Pastor Pearson Banda asked President Mutharika to intervene and quickly address their outstanding grievances that is; recommence payment of reasonable premature retirement package, compensation and stop continue engaging with MYP old committee.

Grey Chisale told journalists in Lilongwe that the Concerned Ex-MYP leadership should stop engaging with government because he is still recognised as MYPs negotiator.

Chisale justified his claim saying there is a letter to the Concerned Ex-MYP leader Pearson Banda dated 10th April 2013, from John Kalanga Secretary for Human Resource Management and Development which said Government believes that there is only one secretariate to which all Ex-MYP members are affiliated to whose national coordinator is Mr Grey Chisale and advised to sort out their issues with Mr. Chisale.

He added that on 16th September 2013, former ACB Director Justice Rizine Mzikamanda  wrote to accountant General informing on ACB concluded investigations pertaining to all allegations some Ex-MYP members had brought. The letter claimed that ACB has not been able to substantiate the said allegations as such the process to disburse compensation to the remaining Ex-MYP members can proceed.

“Am not defending the government”, Chisale claimed “But I initiated this group when others fled this country during the disarmament in 1993, it was me and my committee who initiated dialogue with government and this is why the government is opting to work with me and not the so called the Victims of the Operation Bwezani (Ex-MYP led by PearsonBanda) who were rejected by government immediately at the first attempt to introduce themselves as elected members of former MYPs.”

He further accused the Ex-MYP group for creating confusion among members of defunct MYP and prompting delays for the government to recommence the payment parade for their pension.

“To show their failure, they are insulting the president through their petitions and threatening the nation, so it means that they have nothing to do and have nowhere to go”

“These people have said are not satisfied with the calculations and model government is following when paying the terminal benefits for the Ex-MYP” said Grey Chisale

“I being the person who was briefed on how the calculations were done, am satisfied because there is no way a person who worked for few years would get millions of money but only those who worked for a long time and are eligible for pension can receive a lot of money yet the other group does not know this hence making so many demands.”

Reacting to the Chisale claims, Publicity Secretary for the Ex-MYPs Mr. Hendrix Chimjota said “This is very unfortunate because the sentiments are lacking truth. There is no justice in that.” Adding  that "documents being used by Mr. Chisale to justify the claim are outdated" 

“What Mr. Chisale and his committee would have done was to sit down and think why we came up with this petition. I still cling as group being lead by Pastor Pearson Banda, we are saying that these people were smoked out by genuine Ex-MYPs because of the ghosting that was masterminded by Mr. Grey Chisale in 2012 payment parade.” said Chimjota

“Mr. Chisale prompted for anomalies of ghosting, he ferried non Ex-MYPs from various districts to receive compensation money a thing which did not go well with the fellow Ex-MYPs. His action has left several genuine Ex-MYPs not receiving any compensation and retirement packages during the first payment parade.” Explained Chimjota who added that “We lost trust in Mr. Chisale for what he did, and if he was intelligent enough he would have resigned and stop this.”

“Some people were caught red handed with faked IDs by police” he continued and indicated  "government is aware of it, some were arrested includong those that were in committee of Chisale and Chisale masterminded that ghosting” he claimed

“It is the government that should respond to our petition a thing that we are waiting patiently, nobody should intervene with this!” warned Chimjota who also mentioned that government is still recognizing them and is taking into consideration of any issue they presented.

President Mutharika Plans To Develop National Parks As Part of Animal Conservation

President Peter Mutharika plans to develop a big national park as a way of conserving wildlife and has vowed not to relent fight against poachers.

Mutharika was speaking at Kamuzu Palace Tuesday evening at a Press Conference following return from United States of America (USA) where he attended an International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) United States Congressional dinner in Washington, DC.

"I would like to start a viable park service with trained armed rangers to defend and match the poachers." He said 

"I would like to have a nice park, because parks are very important for people and their families, they can go there for picnics and so forth.  And am determined to do that as part of conservation" said President Mutharika who emphasised that Malawi needs a national park and that international institutions have shown interest to support Malawi in the project including on the restocking of endangered animal species.

On international support Mutharika has assured that the country has now secured an international support of getting resources for conservation activities. 

The Malawi leader, has among others hinted his government efforts in ensuring success in conservation. He said government is developing a Comprehensive National Conservation Policy and also piloting a community participatory programme where by, all communities living around game reserves get share of fees that are collected so that communities have an interest in fight against poaching and takes part in preservation.

President Mutharika added that the community participatory programme has began in lower Shire's Majete game reserve with funding from the World Bank but it will be extended to the rest of the country.

The Malawi leader who said meant his words on conservation plans, has bemoaned with pace at which protected animals including elephants and rhinos are fast facing extinction a development which he described as a threat to future generation.

President Mutharika said Malawi airports have become a conduit for smuggling of ivory and that other powerful curtails are venturing into timber smuggling business but Malawi is not relenting but fighting them.

But has warned that whoever is involved in crime of poaching the law will take its course.

Professor Mutharika told journalists that his invitation to ICCF was part of appreciation to the efforts Malawi is making in combating crime of poaching and environmental conservation.

Mutharika has also announced several positive promises from potential business investors to come and invest in Malawi and that he has successfully marketed some of the Malawi's potential areas for investments.

Malawi Prepares ICT Experts in Cyber Security Threats

George Mkondiwa: Government
 is trying to fight cyber crimes 

Cyber Security issues have not spared Malawi, with the boom in mobile and computer use some Malawians have experienced hacking, online data theft and proliferation of destructive malware, these events and future serious cyber threats have forced Malawi Government to embark on training aimed at raising awareness among ICT Executives and Policy Makers on cyber security so that they know the need for urgency in making policies relating to cyber crime.

The workshop has began on Tuesday in the Capital Lilongwe following a study by Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) that established that member states, including Malawi, were lagging behind in the formulation of policies and legislation that deals with cyber crime as well as lack of awareness among government policy makers and top executives on the need to urgently formulate and pass laws relating to cyber crime.

Chief Secretary to the Government Mr. George Mkondiwa when opening the training said, Malawi is trying to ready itself from future possible cyber attacks following the emerging computers and cellphones in the country and that the workshop marks the beginning to talk and make Malawians aware of threats brought by ICT and know how to prevent them.

He said Malawi government recognise the role the ICT-revolution plays to national development and is harnessing the  ICT through putting in place regulatory and legislative frameworks intended to ensure that Malawi makes the most of this revolution in its efforts to transform the country from poverty to prosperity.

"However, the Malawi Government is aware that the emergence of the ICTs has brought along with it the concern of cyber threats." Says Mkondiwa, 

"As highlighted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and even if at a  relatively lower scale compared to what is happening in the developed world, Malawi is also today facing the same problems of identity and data theft, proliferation of destructive malware and denial-of service attacks which the ICT sector world over is facing. Needless to say, that these threats are a virus that can undermine the role of ICTs as a tool critical to national development and, at the same time, inhibit the growth of the ICT sector itself." 

But he said Malawi is commited to spare no effort in tackling these crimes, especially so because "ICTs are the superhighway toward transformation of education, commerce and and other sectors" among others.

"This is why the Malawi government, like a good general at the battle front,

has taken the leading role in enhancing cyber security in the country through drafting the Electronic Transaction Bill.

Among many other things, the bill provides for investment in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), that will ensure secure exchange of data between and

among computer users. The Electronic Transaction Bill also proposes the formation of Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Malawi which will be handling internet security issues. The government believes that once passed into law, and working in harmony with several other ICT- related legislation already in place, this bill will address issues related to cyber threats, thereby enabling the country to maximise the usage of ICTs."

The Malawi Government Chief Secretary then assured the meeting that the administration of Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, will do all it can to create an environment that "provides a powerful arsenal to this war." 

"The government will continue to provide direction, undertake reforms and make necessary investments in requisite skills and infrastructure for the consolidation and further development of the ICT sector in the country."

Andrew Kumbatira 

Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has partners with COMESA in training the officers.

MACRA's Director General Mr. Andrew Kumbatira said Cyber security is an area that has not been explored extensively in Malawi and there is need for awareness as the nation is experiencing increasing electronic transactions, which in turn will enhance economic activity of the country.

He said though Malawi has not yet experienced a very serious cyber threats, but with emerging cellphones and computers it is apparent that the country will in two year period experience the worst if ICT experts are not trained in how to secure Malawi cyber space.

The three day training has drawn High Level Executives and Policy Makers including Government officials responsible for ICTs, Legal Experts and the ICT/IT and Telecommunications Experts.