Mutharika begs donors to assist Malawi with $500m to repair flood damage
President Peter Mutharika has appealed for international support for rebuilding parts of Malawi that were devastated by floods in January that may cost more than $400 million.
Mutharika, said Malawi — one of the poorest countries in the world — needed “critical thinking and re-direction” in the wake of the deadly floods that killed 176 people
“I would like to appeal for international support in this recovery and reconstruction programme as $494 million is an enormous sum of money,” Mutharika said at Post Disaster Needs Assessment Report.
The short-term reconstruction could be completed within a year but the longer-term efforts could take up to five years, said the report, which was backed by the European Union, World Bank and the United Nations.
“The PDNA Report shows that the floods indeed caused substantial damage and losses in the productive, public infrastructure and social service sectors, including private and community assets,” said Mutharika, adding “Restoring these services and assets will not be easy. I, therefore, call upon all of us to join hands and act with unity of purpose as a nation to restore these services and assets.”
Paul Chinangwa of the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, said the rains cost the agriculture sector $65 million — sweeping away 200,000 livestock, 520,000 houses and 1,000 kilometres of roads.
“The floods hit the poor hard and further pushed them into poverty,” he said.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) administrator Helen Clark said in a speech at the launch of the report: “The floods were an appalling tragedy, and there can be little solace for those who have lost so much. Now, it is important to support the communities to build back better.”
The recovery plan was an opportunity to “increase public understanding of the risk of future flooding”.
It was “unlikely that these will be the last floods or the last natural hazard to hit Malawi,” she said.
“The recovery efforts should address not only the consequences of this year’s floods, but also take into account other hazards – including drought,” Clark said.
Clark also said farmers needed help to feed their families over the next year, calling for the provision of tools, seeds and livestock, and said repairing key roads would restore access to basic services and markets.
Malawi is one of the world’s poorest and most densely populated countries, and about 85 percent of its 17.5 million population are farmers living in rural areas.
Longer-term investment in disaster risk reduction measures, including better early-warning systems and water management systems, could minimise the impact of future flooding and recurrent dry spells, according to the report.
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I wholeheartedly thank donor nations for their clean humanity to help poor people in whatever assistance we can ask from them day in day out,but that assistance lands into the hands of cruel,corrupt and greedy leadership.Just for instance,look at the mansion the late President Bingu Wa Muthalika ( nicknamed small White House) had built in Cholo that had cost poor tax- payers’ millions of dollars in one of the poorest countries on earth.And lately Peter boasted himself that in five years time he will not seek donors’ assistance for Malawi,will stand on its own feet.What a miscalculated presentation? What donors… Read more »
My dear Donors,
Thank you for your readiness to help with flood recovery plans. In case you are not aware, Malawi has fairly good and experienced organizations that can ensure proper targeting of your contributions. These are: Unicef, Oxfam, Action Aid, Project Concern, Save the Children, MSF, Concern Universal, Africare, Cadecom, Church Socities, CARD, Eagle, Evangelical Outreach.
Beware of an organization named after a certain floor polish.
Yours Truly Tiyanjane
ALL THOSE COMMENTING AGAINST PRESIDENT’S PLAN ARE SEEN TO BE VERY CRUEL TO PEOPLE AFFECTED BY FLOODS AND DROUGHT. BE GOD FEARING BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
Where the f.. is cashgate money???
Most of us Malawians are myopic for other reasons known to ourselves. We see and know the truth but sideline it to pursue our goal. Most of the people that are involved in the cashgate are busy writing stupid comments here, as if they or their relative wasn’t involved. What’s the matter when a leader asks for assistance after a disaster? To many of you who don’t know about NGO’s better shut up. Which NGO’s should be trusted with donor aid? Go and ask the junior staff in the so called NGO’s, you would be astounded with how much is… Read more »
If possible DONORS CAN USE PLAN ACTION AID UNICEF CADECOM
THE GOVERNMENT is failing to arrest the cashgaters and seize their property to revover the money
So why should donors bother themselves giving you moneys ??
Mathanyula tsopano…thief turned into a beggar!!! DONORS DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS!!!! He stole votes, he should dance to his own tune.
As a poor Malawian myself I do not agree with emotional conclusions that donors should not help our country fearing that whatever is donated will end in wrong hands.While it is undeniable fact that our country has in recent times done so badly on our finances management, as indeed shown by the infamous cashgate,it may be quite naive to think that there is nothing positive our government is doing.If you go to our public hospitals, schools,prisons, and if you consider recent police successes against lawbreakers, surely you will appreciate that government is still doing a lot regardless of some of… Read more »
Its your own government that is making you poor by stealing instead by helping poor Malawians, therefore Donors should not.
Hoveliwa I like ur poit “u can’t hide pregnancy” Kkkkkkk. This maroon is really brainless he always contradicts himself if not self contradiction then its a lie he is at loggerheads with the truth. Last time I checked I found out from a foolish Gerard Viola that donors dad returned to Malawi because of peter’s good policies. But now I wonder if it is hard to use the donated money in cushioning the flood impacts. Kachaje highlighted yesterday that the floods had affected the economy badly so that it is not easy to have our economy realise a boom as… Read more »
So who is worst begger between JB and Peter Mathanyula? mumamunyaza Jb. Kukamwa ngati nsomba ya mlamba.