By Lusako Ng’ambi:
Parliament has passed the much awaited Disaster Risk Management Bill which seeks to provide for preparation and prevention of disaster, unlike the now repealed law which only focused on activities to be undertaken after a disaster has occurred.
Some of the provisions in the area that are addressing the issue of preparation for disasters include matters like giving powers to authorities to move people from risky areas to safer places.
Speaking in an interview after it was passed, Minister of Justice, Titus Mvalo said that the Bill has brought an improved legal framework for disaster preparedness, management and recovery.
He added that the Bill is very structured as far as disaster risk management is concerned since it has created national committees that will handle all arrangements when the disaster occur.
Commenting on the matter, Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change, Chairperson, Weran Chilenga commended legislators for passing the amended the Bill.
“I am glad that in consultation with the minister, we have moved a quite of amendments up to 18 which is not usual. Usually the minister would not allow to get amendments once the Bill has been presented in parliament but today so far so good”, said chilenga.
Speaking on behalf of the United Democratic Front (UDF), Member of Parliament for Machinga East Constituency, Esther Jolobala supported the Bill saying that the country did not have proper coordination when the disaster happens
“We are 100 percent in support of the disaster risk management Bill. As a party, we are expecting to see the Bill being implemented”, said jolobala.
In reaction, National Coordinator for Civil Society Network on Climate Change, Julius Ng’oma said it’s a big win for Malawians today because parliament has decided to pass the Bill which had been in the making for over 10 years.
Ng’oma said the Bill is going to help the country manage disaster in a proactive way.
However, he said that despite the Bill being passed, it has some gaps that need to be addressed.
” It’s a win we have a new law. But it’s disappointing to note that the Bill has passed with major omissions. For example, there is no clear mechanism to appropriate funds to DODMA, no setting up disaster risk management commission and no clear articulation of a working decentralised structure,” said Ng’oma.
