On January 13th the president of Malawi has declared disaster zones in fifteen districts after floods displaced over 200,000 people and killing 176.
The Phalombe district in the southern region of Malawi has been greatly effected. Over 39 schools were closed and turned into makeshift camps.
The Malawi Congress Party(MCP) has asked the government to declare a state of emergency. Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, president of MCP said, “This will enable the government to get funds from other allocations to assist in the floods disaster.”
Although, Peter Mutharika, Malawi’s president has yet to declare a state of emergency he is being applauded for his response to the situation.
Not only have makeshift camps been created, but the Department of Disaster Management has set up a call center to address the concerns of the community. Also, food and money have been allocated to help the displaced.
Many non-government organizations have also join in on the efforts.
The Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) and Centre for Human Rights Rehabilitation (CHRR) are offering to assist the government.
The executive director of Cedep, Gift Trapence, said, “We at Cedep and CHRR would like to join hands with the Malawi President and government […] to alleviate the problem at hand bearing in mind that human rights issues are at stake due to this catastrophe.”
NGO’s such as Cedep and CHRR hope to avoid a humanitarian crisis.
Previous natural disasters have become humanitarian disasters due to unequal assistance, discrimination, and sexual and gender based violence, but currently, the Malawian government's main concern is to encourage international communities to donate and raise funds.
The government needs to raise about K5 billion (11 million dollars) to provide services and cover damages caused by the floods.
The government is taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of disease by providing water treatment kits and mosquito nets in various districts.
Agriculture accounts for 85 percent of Malawi's exports. The recent floods have destroyed crops putting Malawi's economic well being in danger.
There have been aid workers dispatched to help distribute supplies and medicine.
One million (US) dollars have been allocated so far to support flood victims.
sources: http://www.nyasatimes.com/2015/01/14/mcp-urges-malawi-govt-to-declare-state-of-emergency-over-floods/
http://www.nyasatimes.com/2015/01/20/malawi-disaster-csos-renewed-appeal-for-increased-global-response/
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/gallery/2015/jan/21/malawi-floods-cause-devastation-in-pictures
https://news.vice.com/article/malawi-declared-disaster-zone-after-flooding-kills-48-and-torrential-rain-continues
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