LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The much awaited enactment of Disaster Risk Management Bill is expected to become a new law by January 2023 raising hopes to contain current situation on disaster management.
Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) Commissioner Charles Kalemba told The Maravi Post during the three day national dialogue platform for anticipatory action in Malawi on Wednesday, October 20, 2022 that the bill is at Ministry of Justice that this coming Parliament session will be on the agenda.
The assurance comes barely months after Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) planed to meet President Lazarus Chakwera on stalled enactment of Disaster Risk Management Bill.
CISONECC National Coordinator Julius Ng’oma told the news conference in February this year that the enactment of the bill is long over due that urgent attention from high office needs to intervene.
But Kalemba has now assured stakeholders in disaster sector that the new law will compel government to put more resources in managing disasters.
With the new law coming, the commissioner disclosed that citizens will have rights to take government to court if it fails its responsibility towards containing disaster.
“We should expect the new law in place by January 2023. Its at Ministry of Justice that thereafter will go through cabinet then Parliament for deliberation.
“The department will make sure that resources be enough to implement programs in managing disasters not only on papers,” assures Kalemba.
In her remarks, Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) Director of Programs Prisca Chisala whose organisation is working closely with DoDMA hopes that the new law will ease resources burden towards disasters.
Chisala said the national dialogue is vital towards the implementation of disasters policy and frameworks
“The two and half days’ workshop seeks to develop a joint Malawi Anticipatory Action Roadmap to help institutionalize but also harmonize the coordinated efforts.
“The Anticipatory Action Roadmap for Malawi will further integrate and builds on the Southern Africa Regional Anticipatory Action Roadmap which the Government of Malawi is a party to it,” she said.
Chisala added, “It is high time for Government of Malawi and other development agencies to consolidate and harmonize our activities that are being implemented in different parts of the country. The different response mechanisms put in place in mitigating to the multiple hazards that affect the country every year requires joint efforts for strengthening the capacities at different levels.
“The Anticipatory Actions Roadmap will provide space for upscaling the good practices that each institution is promoting. Thus, regular interface between different actors is paramount in our day-to-day work. The role which each partner will play in this meeting will be appreciated”.The Anticipatory Actions in Malawi which is under the theme; “Ready to Act before Disaster Impact” has attracted stakeholder in disasters.
Danish Red Cross through the ECHO funded project has finance the conference alongside with other partners including FAO and other UN agencies with resources, time and guidelines towards preparations of the meeting.
