The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has donated K200 million worth emergency relief items to the Government of Malawi for people affected by Tropical Storm ANA-induced floods.
Addressing members of the media on Saturday (12th February, 2022) at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA), the Japanese Ambassador to Malawi His Excellency Satoshi Iwakiri, expressed heartfelt sympathy to people affected by Tropical Storm ANA.
Iwakiri said he requested his government to assist the affected considering that Malawi and Japan are good friends and that the items will make a difference.
“We requested our government to take a quick action so that we reach out to the affected in any possible manner. I hope that the affected people will make use of the items accordingly,” said Iwakiri.
In his speech, Chief Representative of JICA, Kazuhiro Tambara said the donation is in response to President Lazarus Chakwera's appeal for assistance after he declared a State of Disaster.
He said Japan has experienced a lot of natural disasters and received support from friends from other countries hence the need to assist Malawi.
"In response to President Chakwera's call, the Embassy of Japan and JICA, in consultation with Japanese Government, have facilitated Japanese disaster relief assistance which we are witnessing today," said Tambara.
He emphasised the need for Malawi to strengthen disaster risk reduction interventions, stressing that climate change and environmental degradation is considered to be making the impact of disasters more serious.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the Malawi Government and the affected people, Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Charles Kalemba commended the people and Government of Japan for responding positively to the declaration of ‘state of disaster’ and appeal for assistance by President Dr Lazarus Chakwera
Kalemba said the donation will go a long way to address the needs of the affected people in particular and the disaster response operations in general as the country is working hard to meet the basic food and survival needs of the affected population, decongestion of the camps as well as restoration of basic services in the affected areas.
“Let me assure you that this donation will be used for its sole intended purpose, that is, the provision of shelter and relief assistance to disaster affected people,” said Kalemba.
He then extended an invitation to JICA representatives to witness the actual distribution of the donated relief items to beneficiaries in the targeted areas, next week.
