Stakeholders in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Malawi have commended Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) role in leading most of the Anticipatory action activities, saying they are contributing heavily in reducing the impacts of disasters.
Both the Department of Disaster Management Affairs – DODMA- and the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services – DCCMS – and other partners, showered the appreciation during a lessons learnt meeting organized to review a Scaling Up Anticipatory Action in Malawi project.
`The project was being implemented in Phalombe, Mulanje, Chikwawa and Blantyre for a period of three years in partnership with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) with financial support from the Italian Government in partnership with the Italian Red Cross and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre.
Chief Disaster Preparedness Officer at DoDMA Natasha Mbego, said MRCS has been a key partner, in helping capacity building and community empowerment in Anticipatory Activities in the said districts while Yobu Kachiwanda of DCCMs indicated most Anticipatory action activities have been led by MRCS each time a forecast on Tropical Cyclone has been issued.
During the workshop partners gathered evidence and insights on Integration of the Anticipatory Action approach into National systems which MRCS Acting Director of Programs and Development Leonard Maganga said is key for a joint commitment.
“As Red cross we expect a shared commitment amongst stakeholders to ably integrate Anticipatory Action into policies and financing strategies through lessons drawn from the project, as one way of shaping the future of Anticipatory Action activities in Malawi” said Maganga.
IFRC’s PMER Officer on Anticipatory Action in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia Tariro Kamangira, appreciated the collaboration amongst stakeholders in Malawi.
“In this lessons Learnt workshop, all stakeholders who matter in Anticipatory Action activities have greatly contributed to a roadmap, in as far as AA activities are concerned, and to us and donors it has strengthen our financial zeal, to consider doing more in all the 18 countries the project is being implemented' she said.
Malawi Stakeholders at the lessons learnt workshop included Department of Disaster Management Affairs – DODMA-, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services – DCCMS- Save the Children Malawi, Self Help Africa, the Academia and members of the Media.
