Tag Archives: NGO Coalition on Child Rights (NGO CCR)

Environment, Malawi

Youths, children push for inclusion in Malawi’s NDC process update on Climate Change action

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Youth and children are pushing for inclusion of their needs in the Malawi’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) process towards climate change adaptation programme.

The children and young people drawn from Salima, Ntchisi and Lilongwe want authorities to address key priority areas in the midst of natural disasters including education, water and sanitation, health, protection and participation in decision making.

With support from NGO Coalition on Child Rights (NGO CCR) in collaboration with National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC), this week children and young people presented the report to Environmental Affairs Departments (EAD) for action.

Gomani receiving the report from Phiri (in the middle from left to right)

Naomi Precious Phiri from Chinsapo Secondary School said, “It’s high time authorities could address our concerns amid effects of climate change including recent Cyclones Freddy that let’s many of us not attending classes.

“We want authorities to put mechanism that address challenges that come with natural disasters that lessons must not be disrupted”.

Phiri demands, “We need proper sanitation facilities, shelters that support us during disasters”.

Echoing the same, NGO-CCR National Coordinator Henry Machemba emphasized the need for authorities to address children and youths concerns.

Machemba the report presented to authorities must see support in the 3.0 Malawi’s NDC process as its going to be updated for action.

“Children, youths are raising important issues that needs authorities attention. We need a responsive leadership that put children, youth in the centre of program as the nation future lies in them.

“This is the reason we keep on supporting children, youth in raising their voices that authorities must address their concerns on times before further disasters strike”, assures Machemba.

In his response, Golivati Gomani EAD Principal Environmental Officer in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Climate Change, Energy and Mining observes that children and youths have valid concerns which authorities will swiftly address them.

Gomani hinted that youths will invited for a number of stakeholders meetings towards updating the NDC process for their concerns inclusion.

Human Rights

Malawi’s child rights body calls for child-friendly humanitarian support in disaster hotspots

Maravi Post Reporter

 

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s NGO Coalition on Child Rights (NGO CCR) this week appealed for comprehensive child-friendly humanitarian support in all disaster hotspots.

 

This comes amid reports that children are the most vulnerable in the aftermath of disasters.

 

The calls is to ensure that children’s rights in all disaster hotspots in the wake of unprecedented floods in parts of Malawi.

 

The NGO CCR members including Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC), Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO GCN), Malawi Human Rights Youth Network (MHRYN), Malawi Human Rights Consultative Committee (MHRCC), Youth Consultative Forum (YCF), Water and Environmental Sanitation Network (WESNet), Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN), Media Advocates for the Advancement of Child Rights (MAACR) and Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA).

 

 

In a press statement signed by its Chairpersons Desmond Mhango, made available to The Maravi Post, the grouping is demanding that there should be access to security and adequate child protection systems and provide mobile antenatal and child-friendly health facilities in camp sites

 

 

Below is the full press statement;

 

 

APPEAL FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY HUMANITARIAN AID ACCESS IN DISASTER HOTSPOTS Lilongwe, Malawi:

 

The NGO Coalition on Child Rights (NGO its CCR), an umbrella network of Civil Society Organizations established to champion the fulfilment and enjoyment of children’s rights in Malawi, would like to appeal to key stakeholders in disaster management to ensure the respect of children’s rights in all disaster hotspots in the wake of unprecedented floods in parts of Malawi.

 

In most cases, children are the most vulnerable in the aftermath of disasters. Actually, all rights of children as enshrined in the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), African Charter on the Rights, Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) and the republican Constitution are under threat in times such as these.

 

Therefore, following the flood disaster across the country, we urge key stakeholders to consider and reflect upon the following elements:

 

  1. Child Protection Children is disaster areas are vulnerable to all sorts of abuse. There are also notable cases of separation with parents and guardians. Therefore, we urge all stakeholders to put in place child protection mechanisms to ensure all children are protected against all forms of exploitations and abuse. We therefore implore on the state and non-state actors to ensure maximum safety and security of children in disaster hotspots. In the event of separation, we urge proper re-unification with families.

 

  1. Right to Education and Health We are aware that education is one area that is often affected in the wake of disasters that force people to leave their houses such as floods.

 

Firstly, when people relocate to facilities such as school blocks for temporary residence, lessons are disrupted. Such incidents have been reported in places such as Chikwawa, Nsanje, Balaka, Mangochi, Mulanje and Phalombe.

 

Secondly, as a result of community-wide impact where teachers and learners are all victims, lessons in schools are disrupted. While teachers mourn loss of property, learners would have lost scholastic materials hence negatively impacting on their participation in education.

 

Further to that is the psychological trauma associated with such disasters is a health need that often go unnoticed.

 

Disasters also disrupt access to health care for children such as antenatal and Under-5 health Care Services.

 

  1. Participation and child-friendly environment Stakeholders in disaster management should ensure that children’s views are considered. As a matter of fact, children need to be engaged at all stages of disaster preparation, prevention, response and recovery stages.

 

Sadly, we note with concern that the involvement of children is very minimal. Conclusion The NGO CCR reiterates its appreciation for the resilient efforts demonstrated by key stakeholders in disaster management following the recent flooding disaster in Malawi.

 

However, we urge the stakeholders to ensure that children are not marginalized, or being reduced to mere beneficiaries but, based on evolving capacity, be involved throughout the planning activities related to disasters.

 

Failure to adhere to the recommendations made has potential to endanger children in the affected areas as they would face serious long-term repercussions.

 

Research indicates that disaster that occurs during the formative years of a child can last decades.

 

For example, children who suffer adverse health consequences or miss out on school might end up missing out on life time opportunities.

 

We further recommend that the state and non-state actors involved should collaborate and consider offering the following:

 

  1. Provide child-friendly psychological first aid for affected children
  2. Ensure access to security and adequate child protection systems
  3. Provide mobile antenatal and child-friendly health facilities in camp sites

 

  1. Provide play spaces e. Opting for temporary shelters away from school facilities whenever possible f. Offer school materials as part of relief packages in disaster affected areas as flood water has damaged school materials.