CHRR, Cedep plead for global support on Malawi flood ‘catastrophe’

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep) have jointly asked for government to seriously consider committing more resources to alleviate the suffering of flood victims and also urged the international community to help Malawi with material and financial support.

This follows flooding due to heavy rainfall continues to wreak havoc in many parts of Malawi leaving at least 48 people dead and another 23,000 displaced.

President Peter Mutharika declared 10 out of 28 districts in the country disaster zones.

In a joint statement signed by CHRR and Cedep executive directors Timothy Mtambo and Gift Trapence respectively, the two human rights organisations have said they have  “learnt with sadness” about the  “catastrophe” and  also offered “heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.”

The two say there is no doubt that Malawi is  in a crisis that requires urgent and robust solutions in the best interest of the nation not only from government but also all key stakeholders including the civil society, faith community, media, international community and others.

“We applaud all stakeholders, both locally and internationally, who responded swiftly in providing various forms of assistance to the victims.  We also commend President Peter Mutharika for taking lead in government’s response to this emergency by amongst other things appealing for concerted, unified efforts from all stakeholders to ensure that all prevailing problems resulting from this catastrophe are sorted out.

“We therefore would like to join hands with the President and the government by appealing for increased national and global response to help in alleviating the problem at hand bearing in mind that human rights issues are at stake due to the catastrophe,” reads the statement in part.

They two groups advised government to continue “adhering to its responsibilities, roles and duties, as provided for by both domestic and international law, when faced with such crisis.”

They also asked for government to also come up with clear transparent, monitoring mechanisms to ensure that all resources meant for such purposes reach the intended targeted people.

“ It’s high time we all joined hands and complement the current government’s efforts towards a lasting solution in the best interest of the victims and human rights for all,” the two groups said.

The statement comes hot on the heels of an editorial comment by the Malawi’s flagship daily, The Nation condemning Civil Society leaders who organised anti-government demonstrations on Tuesday.

In its editorial comment,  the paper accused the civil society groups leader for “lack of sensitivity” , arguing that they should  have put their planned demos on hold to support efforts by government, development partners and other well-wishers in their response to the country’s state of disaster .

However, the paper stated that the prudent use of public resources by government is an important element of governance.

The comment further says the use of donor funds by National Aids Commission or any agency in funding programmes that have nothing to with HIV/AIDs, such as Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and Mlhakho wa Alhomwe, was arguably wrong.