Legislator Urges Govt to Follow Disaster Response Law
Jolobala expressed concern that the delay in government aid has led to harmful coping mechanisms in some disaster-prone areas.
LILONGWE, Malawi— A legislator from Machinga East constituency, Esther Jolobala, has advised the government's Department of Disaster Management Affairs to adhere to the law requiring support for disaster victims within 72 hours, writes Esther Banda.
"Parliament passed a law concerning the Disaster Management Act which indicates that government should be able to prepare itself and support the people within 72 hours, but what is happening is contrary to that," Jolobala said.
She made the remarks while contributing to a request by Rumphi East legislator Kamlepo Kalua, who asked the government to provide food relief to his constituents whose crops were washed away by floods.
Jolobala expressed concern that the delay in government aid has led to harmful coping mechanisms in some disaster-prone areas.
"In some of the disaster-prone areas, men are raping young girls, or young girls are exchanging their bodies for food just because the government hasn't come in time to support them," she said.
Joseph Mwanamvekha, legislator for Chiradzulu South, proposed increasing the unforeseen funds vote and distributing the money to district councils to enable quicker response.
"The government should raise the amount that has been allocated for the unforeseen vote and distribute that money to district councils. They should also decentralize because the centralization is not working," Mwanamvekha explained.
He added that it is unfortunate that Malawians remain unaware of the actions to be taken after President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera declared a "State of Disaster," which he was supposed to report to Parliament within seven days to debate the way forward.
However, Parliament is scheduled to rise on Friday.