The China Enterprises Malawi Chamber of Commerce (CEMCC); on Tuesday (25th June, 2024) donated 400 bags (each weighing 20kg) of maize flour worth K10 million towards El-Nino Response Programme. 

The donation follows President Dr Lazarus Chakwera’s declaration of state of disaster in 23 districts of the country and call for local and international support in reaching out to two million affected households (approximately nine million people).

Speaking when he handed over the donation, CEMCC Vice Chairperson Gu Mu, said they are not in the country just for profits but also stretch a helping hand to vulnerable communities in times of need. 

“As part of our corporate social responsibility we are responding to the President’s call for support following the declaration,” said Mu.

In his remarks, Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu commended CEMCC for the donation and called upon the corporate world, companies and individuals of goodwill to emulate the gesture.

“This is a timely donation and we thank the grouping of the Chinese companies for coming in and respond to the President’s call for support,” said the Chief Government Spokesperson. 

CEMCC is a grouping of 30 Chinese-owned companies plying their trade in the country.

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) and the UNDP Malawi on Friday (7th June, 2024) launched K500 million worth prefabricated emergency operation centres (EOCs) assembled in Zomba, Karonga, Salima, Dedza and Phalombe District Councils to improve disaster risk management coordination.

Speaking during the launch in Zomba District, Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs Rev. Charles Kalemba called upon the councils to make full use of the centres in building resilience of communities.

“We are committed to improving disaster management coordination and building resilience of the nation. We need to go beyond congregating at the EOC during emergencies and use the facilities in developing and coordinating the implementation of disaster risk management [DRM] programmes at all stages of the DRM cycle to build resilience to climate shocks,” said Kalemba.

In her remarks, UNDP Resident Representative Fenella Frost reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening disaster management systems in the country and commended the councils for playing a pivotal role in establishing the EOCs, which have been installed under the Scaling Up the Use of Modernized Climate Information and Early Warning Systems (M-CLIMES) Project.

District Commissioner for Zomba Reinghard Chavula said she is grateful for the EOC as it will ease coordination in disaster management.

The M-CLIMES is a Green Climate Fund, UNDP and Malawi Government-funded Project aimed at supporting Malawi in taking steps to save lives and enhance livelihoods at risk of climate-related disasters. Among other notable interventions, the project supported the installation of community-based flood early warning systems (CB-FEWS) in eight districts of the country.

The United Kingdom on Thursday (16th May, 2024) announced the provision of £3 million grant (about MK 6.8 billion) towards implementation of the National El Nino Induced Prolonged Dry Spells and Floods Response Appeal (El Nino Response Appeal) pegged MK782.24 billion.

The grant follows President Dr Lazarus Chakwera ’s declaration of state of disaster and appeal for support towards implementation of the response appeal, which aims at boosting food production to ensure adequate national food stocks and provide humanitarian assistance to prevent deterioration of food insecurity and nutrition status amongst affected families.

Speaking in Lilongwe, British High Commissioner to Malawi Fiona Ritchie said her government stands with the people of Malawi in this time of need and called upon other partners and potential donors to act quickly and support the response appeal.

Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs Rev. Charles Kalemba said the Malawi Government is grateful for the gesture.

“We are thankful to the Government of the United Kingdom for the timely assistance. We are working on providing assistance to over nine million affected people and this grant couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Kalemba.

The funds, which will be largely used for implementation of cash transfers and procurement and distribution of relief items, will be channeled through World Food Programme Malawi.