The African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian and Social Development Ambassador, Minata Samate CESSOUMA has appealed for more support to the Cyclone Freddy victims from local and international partners.
Samate CESSOUMA said this during the press briefing held on Wednesday in Lilongwe after touring some parts that were heavily affected by Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
“We came here to witness the situation and also to show solidarity with people. We have visited Blantyre and other affected parts but truly cyclone caused a lot of damage and until now the situation is bad to affected people so I appeal for more support to Malawi Government to help the country recover from the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy” said CESSOUMA
COSSOUMA has also asked Malawi Government to strengthen early warning systems which helps to warn people to prepare for upcoming natural disasters.
“These natural disasters will not stop, we will continue facing cyclones, drought and we need to prevent so there’s need to have strengthened early warning systems so that atleast we can save lives” she added
According CESSOUMA, African Union has supported Malawi Government with USD 500, 000 which among others will help in rebuilding the infrastructures that were swept away by water during the Cyclone Freddy.
On his part, Ambassador David Claude Pierre responsible for African Union Southern Region Office, stressed the importance for Government to establish the rapid response systems for it to respond quickly to the natural disasters.
“I think the government needs to see where it is in relation to establish rapid response system for Malawi that could allow it to respond very quickly to the calamities of Cyclone or any climate change related issues, once the government knows where it is in relation to that it will also know what requires to put the system in place and to make the system very effective then Government will see what are the stakeholders that we need to bring on board that will assist us to put in place this rapid response system, what are the resources that we need and who are we going to talk to to ensure that we get the technical and financial support that we can allow us to put in place this system” said Pierre
