The Director of the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Rev. Moses Chimphepo, has urged organizations involved in humanitarian support to concentrate on pumping their resources in preparedness, rather than in response.
Chimphepo made the call Wednesday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe when 10 local non-governmental organizations and one international organization signed an agreement to partner with government in tackling emergencies in the country.
The Agreement, dubbed Humanitarian Partnership Platform (HPP) is led by Care Malawi International and brings together 10 other local non-governmental organizations, namely CARE International in Malawi, Find Your Feet (FYF), Girls Empowerment Network (GENET), Women’s Legal Resource Centre (WOLREC), Foundation for Community and Capacity Development (FOCCAD).
The other organizations are Synod of Livingstonia Development Department (SOLDEV), Circle for Integrated Community Development (CICOD), Eagles Relief and Development, Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) Blantyre, Churches Action and Relief Development (CARD) and Emmanuel International.
Chiphepo observed. that most of the support comes when disasters occur, rather than during the preparedness period, making it difficult for DoDMA to respond accordingly.
“Preparedness is a very critical element in disaster risk management of responding to disasters: we need to have plans and resources in place so that when we are hit by disasters, we are able to respond timely to the affected areas,” said Chimphepo.
He appealed to all NGOs, both local and international, operating in the country to value the preparedness phase and invest in it through resource mobilization and save lives and property in times of disaster.
The DoDMA Director hailed Care Malawi for bringing the 10 local NGOs together, saying it will strengthen their capacities as NGOs, and that it will help them mobilize resources and response in a coordinated manner.
He added that CARE Malawi’s gesture would make it easier for DoDMA in terms of coordinating with the NGOs, rather than working with them as individual partners.
“Instead of reaching out to many organizations individually, we will only reach out to them through leadership of the network,” said Chimphepo, adding that the new Disaster Risk Management Act that was passed recently demands that DoDMA takes stock of all organizations that are working in the country’s disaster-prone areas.
He also challenged the partners to be accountable in their transaction of the funds they get from their donors saying the funds they get is for Malawian citizens.
“The issue of accountability is very important: once trust is lost, partnerships don’t last,” said Chimphepo, adding: “When you receive resources, account for the funds to zero tambala. Just like you demand accountability from DoDMA, we, as government, also demand accountability from you because you acquire the funding on behalf of Malawians.”
CADECOM Diocesan Secretary in the Archdiocese of Blantyre, Mandinda Zungu, who is also co-chairperson of the HPP, described the HPP as a deliberate move to bring the humanitarian players together to tackle emergencies effectively as one front.
Mandinda said there has been great collaboration over the past two years between government and the NGOs and that the HPP will enhance that existing cooperation.
“With the signing today, we now have a platform to work together, coordinate, build our capacities, and be positioned to respond within 24hrs when an emergency has occurred in Malawi,” said Mandinda.
She added: “Through this platform, we will be able to have resources prepositioned be it financial, human, mobility and other capacities, to support the Malawi government so that when disasters happen there’s limited, or no loss of lives.”
Both Chimphepo and Mandinda urged more non-governmental organizations to join the Platform and serve Malawians in times of disasters and other emergencies.
Reporter By Kondwani Magombo
