ATLANTA, Georgia, January 28 (MaraviPost): Malawi’s growth in 2015 will fall short of the 5.8 percent projected at the beginning of the year because of the damage massive floods have caused to the country’s farming industry, said President Peter Mutharika.
“The damage caused by the flood disaster to the economy is estimated at 23.9 billion kwacha ($53 million), excluding the cost of the relief program currently underway,” Mutharika said Tuesday in his state of the nation address, broadcast from the capital, Lilongwe.
However it should be noted that rebuilding and restoration of key services constitute economic activity that otherwise would not have occurred. Money has also been pouring in from countries and donors that had deserted Malawi for Cashgate and other reasons. If these donations and the need to relocate flood victims are planned and coordinated properly they will surely blunt the initial losses caused by the floods.
“You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” Those words, capture the essence of what could be considered Rahm’s Rule, after Chicago mayor and former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. As Bruce explains, when it comes to crisis management, opportunistic politicians such an Emanuel never miss a chance to convert crises into political pork for special interests.
So Mr. President use this crisis wisely. You have aid pouring in from all quarters including from within the Malawi community, in the Diaspora as well sending money and raising money from well-wishers.
Doors that were closed by Cashgate have opened even If slightly. It is up to you and the cabinet to take advantage. Do not let a crisis go to waste as Rahm Emanuel someone you know well would say.
The annual tobacco crop is the largest export earner for Malawi, which relies on international aid for 40 percent of its budget. Agriculture, mining, electricity provision and water supplies have been severely disrupted by the floods, Mutharika said.
Waters have submerged 63,531 hectares of land, affecting 35,000 hectares of cropland and 116,000 farmers, according to Mutharika. He estimated that Malawi will require as much as 3.6 billion kwacha to replant crops.
Flood damage has shut 234 schools, while another 181 are acting as emergency refuges for displaced people, he said, adding that the disruption means 200,000 students are unable to attend classes.
