Nthanda Times

Blessings Tambala

  • UN MALAWI calls for urgent action to support people affected by the Tropical Cyclone Freddy

    The United Nations (UN) in Malawi has called for urgent coordinated support for the people impacted by the destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy.

    UN Resident Coordinator in Malawi s. Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, in a press statement issued on Tuesday, said the call is in the wake of the declaration of a State of Disaster in the Southern Region by the President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.

    The longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record, according to the World Meteorological Organisation, Freddy has left a trail of destruction and continues to cause extensive damage and loss of lives from torrential rains and strong winds in ten Districts, namely Nsanje, Chikwawa, Mulanje, Thyolo, Phalombe, Chiradzulu, Mwanza, Blantyre, Zomba and Neno.

    Over the past three days, Cyclone Freddy has affected over 16,000 people, killed some 100 people and injured dozens more overstretching the health sector that is already overwhelmed by the worst Cholera outbreak in two decades.

    Adda-Dontoh said her organization commends the Government of Malawi for its leadership of preparedness and response measures and calls upon partners to step up efforts to assist people in the Southern Malawi Districts affected by Tropical Cyclone Freddy.

    “Tropical Cyclone Freddy has created an unprecedented crisis in Malawi. The UN has been rapidly mobilising support to address immediate needs pending a multi-sectoral assessment. Technical and financial support provided by the United Nations to establish an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been critical in strengthening humanitarian coordination among Government, NGO and development partners. Furthermore, several UN Agencies have deployed personnel to the affected areas to support coordination of response and assessment efforts in information management and logistics,” reads the statement in part.

    A Collapsed house in Blantyre due to the cyclone Freddy

    Adda-Dontoh added that UN is providing critical logistical support, including transportation for search and rescue operations as well as to ferry humanitarian workers, equipment and supplies to communities that have been cut off by flooding and landslides, as well as medical supplies and equipment to improve water and sanitation infrastructure to address immediate health needs, including preventing the spread of Cholera.

    She stated that protection of the most vulnerable populations and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse remain central to the work of the UN, including in humanitarian response.  To this end, UN Agencies are providing food and non-food items such as shelter materials, tents and dignity kits to displaced people.

    “The UN stands with the people of Malawi and encourages national authorities, civil society, the private sector, political parties, the media, traditional leaders, and religious leaders to ensure that at all times the rights and dignity of affected populations are respected,” she concluded.

  • Minister Sendeza, Plan International Senior Leadership Team hold bilateral talks in New York

    Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Muonaowauza Sendeza, on Monday hosted Plan International Senior Leadership Team held bilateral working relationship between Plan International and the Government of Malawi at the Malawi Missions Office in New York.

    The talks took place on the sidelines of the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in the United States of America (USA).

    During the meeting, Sendeza applauded Plan International for all the projects and interventions it is implementing in Malawi, especially in the education and health sectors among the school going adolescent girls.

    Plan International Country Director for Malawi Phoebe Kasoga (left), Minister of Gender in Malawi, Jean Sendeza (2nd from right) pose for a photo with Plan International Leadership Team

    “It is thrilling to note that Plan International is implementing its projects in 14 of the 28 districts across the country. Plan is amplifying girls’ voice in policy and strategic formulation, and strengthening capacity of service providers and local stakeholders among many intervention areas,” she said.

    Sendeza said the interventions by Plan International is implementing are creating a conducive environment for girls education in the country.

    She, however, pleaded with the organization to focus on economic empowerment of women so that they may be able to sustain and retain the girls in schools to achieve their goals.

    “As government, we look forward to more engagements with Plan International,” said Sendeza.

  • Undule criticizes govt for selective response to natural disasters

    Governance and human rights advocate Undule Mwakasungula has criticized the government for what he has termed as ‘selective response to natural disasters’.

    While commending the State President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera for declaring a state of disaster in response to the devastating impact of Tropical Cyclone Freddy in some districts in the Southern Region, Mwakasungula said he finds the approach taken by the government to be selective.

    He wondered why the government has paid a deaf ear to the cries of the people from the Northern Region, especially in Karonga where dry spells threaten the production of the two staple grain of rice and maize n the district.

    The development has prompted Bishop of the Diocese of Karonga, Right Reverend Martin Mtumbuka, to launch a resource mobilization initiative to assist the affected families.

    Thus, Mwakasungula expressed dismay with the lack of interest by the government to respond to the cries of the people of Karonga.

    Mwakasungula: Government is paying a deaf ear to cries of rice and maize farmers who are experiencing the worst droughts in Karonga

    “I disagree with this. It’s selective in the approach by the government. Maybe I am seeing what others are not seeing. What we need now is more humanitarian support to the affected and not declaring a state of national disaster when you are out of the country. It does not make sense at all. We need a national leadership, which cares for its people,” he argued.

    He said the government has the responsibility and obligation to support its citizens in times of distress and disasters such as tropical cyclones and droughts. We can not be declaring state of national disasters with aim of thinking it will be easier in looking for support. 

    “People pay taxes to the government. And when calamities such as these occur, it is the responsibility of the government to support and help the citizens, through their taxes ” stated Mwakasungula.

    Meanwhile, Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba, has announced that President Chakwera will arrive from Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday afternoon.

  • President Chakwera declares state of disaster in Southern Region as Cyclone Freddy continues to wreck havoc

    Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has declared some parts of Southern Region as state of disaster following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy.

    The declaration is in response to the devastating impact of Cyclone Freddy on several districts in the region.

    In a statement issued Monday evening, Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba, said Chakwera had made the declaration under section 32(1) of the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act (Cap 33:05 of the Laws of Malawi).

    The districts declared as state of disaster include Blantyre City and District, Chikwawa District, Chiradzulu District, Mulanje District, Mwanza District, Neno District, Nsanje District, Thyolo District, Phalombe District, and Zomba City and District.

    Tropical Cyclone Freddy has brought disastrous effects in the Southern Region

    President Chakwera has expressed deep concern over the situation and had called for urgent assistance to be rendered to all affected districts.

    “The government has already begun responding to the emergencies and is appealing for local and international support to assist families affected by the disaster,” said Zamba.

    Meanwhile, the State House has said President Chakwera will arrive back from Qatar tomorrow and is expected to go straight to visit the victims.

    The President has been in Doha, Qatar, where he went to attend the Least Developed Countries conference that took place from 5-9 March, 2023.

  • Malawi holds 2023 National Monitoring and Evaluation Week

    Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and the National Planning Commission (NPC), is from Monday, March 13, 2023, to Friday, March 17, 2023, holding the first National Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Week.

    M&E Week is an annual event aimed enhancing the quality and use of M&E evidence in Malawi.

    NPC spokesperson Thom Khanje disclosed in a statement issued on Monday that the inaugural M&E Week is being held under the theme ‘Enhancing Evaluation Capacity and Use of Evaluation Results in Malawi’.

    Khanje: M&E is a critical implementation tool of the Malawi 2063 national vision

    Khanje added that the main event commemorating the week will take place on Wednesday March 15 and Thursday March 16, 2023 at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.

    He said the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Honourable Sosten Alfred Gwengwe will officially open the ceremony on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

    “Other activities during the week include training sessions on technical aspects of M&E, exchange of experiences through presentations, expert-managed labs and panel discussions. M&E is a critical implementation tool of the Malawi 2063 national vision,” he said.

    Added Khanje, “Tracking and taking timely remedial measures require effective M&E capacities so we can generate information that can inform decision-making and keep Malawians and stakeholders informed on the progress we are making as a nation and their respective roles it accelerating it.”

  • YAP urges Malawi Government, donors to deploy mobile clinics to cyclone-ravaged areas

    Youth Advocacy Platform (YAP), a not-for-profit organization supporting youth-led participation in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has appealed to Government of Malawi and its development partners to make haste in responding to the needs of families affected by the Tropical Cyclone Freddy.

    The organization is, among others, proposing that government the donor community should deploy mobile clinics, provide food assistance and shelter to assist the victims in the affected districts.

    YAP National Coordinator Elias Mambo made the appeal in a statement released on Monday.

    Mambo: We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and property to the storm

    “YAP is saddened by the devastation and loss of life caused by Cyclone Freddy in many parts of the Southern Region of Malawi. Our heartfelt condolences go to the families of the victims, the injured and all those affected by this natural calamity,” reads part of the statement.

    Mambo has since urged citizens to move away from flood-prone areas and avoid crossing flooded rivers.

    He expressed hope for an early return to normalcy and a quick restoration of key services.

  • Govt commends Catholic Church for spearheading development projects

    Government of Malawi has commended the Roman Catholic Church in Malawi for initiating various development projects aimed at improving the social and economic livelihoods of the people.

    Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola and Deputy Minister of Education, Nancy Chaola-Mdooko, observed that the Catholic Church has been the largest partner of the government in transforming lives through various programs.

    Matola and Chaola-Mdooko made the remarks at Dzenza Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Dedza when Sopowerful Foundation handed over a solar-powered electricity project to the school on Saturday.

    The Diocese of Dedza, which runs Dzenza CDSS, secured financing for the solar electricity from Sopowerful Foundation in response to the students’ outcry that lack of electricity at the school is negatively affecting their performance as they could not study during the night.

    Thus, in his remarks at the launch, Matola – who was also the Guest of Honour at the event – advised the learners to jealously guard the equipment against vandalism and theft.

    Matola hoists the cut ribbon to signify the commissioning of the solar energy at Dzenza CDSS in Dedza

    “Use this facility to the best of your interest and capabilities in your studies. And don’t allow anyone to vandalize or steal this equipment because that will ruin your future,” he said.

    In her remarks, Chaola-Mdooko said the ‘Tonse Government led by His Excellency, President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, through my ministry has embarked on a secondary education expansion drive’.

    The Deputy Minister disclosed that, among others, the ministry is constructing new secondary schools and expanding the existing ones.

    “In addition, my ministry is strengthening open and distance e-learning as an alternative mode of delivering secondary education. We believe that this will help to increase access and improve quality of education in this country. In addition to constructing science laboratories, my Ministry is working on expanding virtual and digital laboratory space, which Mzuzu University with financial support from the UNDP has developed more so considering the high cost of constructing physical laboratories,” she said.

    She, however, admitted that the ministry is facing myriad challenges to provide quality education to all, citing lack of electricity as one of them.

    Chaola-Mdooko stated that only 68 percent of the secondary schools in Malawi are connected to ESCOM power while 12 percent use solar energy and the other one percent use fuel powered generators and that another 19 percent are not connected to any form of electricity.

    Matola, Chaola-Mdooko and other dignitaries pose for a photo with students below the solar panels

    “My ministry, through the first ten years of the MW2063 (MIP1), intends to install not only electricity to all schools, but also internet in order to improve the education delivery. With electricity, classes can be conducted early in the morning or at the convenience of the learners and the teacher alike. Equally important is the fact that evening studies are possible where electricity is available.

    “In addition, electricity enables the use of modern mass media tools in the classroom, such as the internet and televisions. As a matter of fact, schools with electricity can outperform non-electrified schools on key educational indicators, and can in some cases enable broader social and economic development of communities,” said the Deputy Minister.

    While commending the financiers of the solar project, a students’ representative, Evelyn Maliseni, pleaded with the Malawi Government to address a problem of inadequate classroom blocks, lack of a laboratory, lack of computers and lack of a girls’ hostel at the school.

    Maliseni said some female students are operating in rented houses where they are facing theft of their property, sexual harassment and exorbitant rental charges by the house owners as well as poor conditions of the houses.

    Matola listens to the contractor of the project

    “We therefore request well-wishers to come in and assist in the completion of the structures. The hostels will indeed help us to have more time for studies as well study circles because we will be at the same place and in return improve our performance which at this moment in time is challenged,” she said.

    In his remarks, Diocesan Education Coordinator, Father Joseph Billiat, begged the government to construct a fence at the school to address disturbances that learners and teachers experience from passersby.

    Chaola-Mdooko has assured that her ministry will look into the requests and will act accordingly.

    Meanwhile, Sopowerful Foundation Executive Director, Stefano Cruccu, has pledged to bring piped water to the area, which is under Traditional Authority Kaphuka.

  • Parley Committee commends NCHE for introducing online application system

    Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Ben Phiri, on Saturday commended the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) for introducing an online application system for the selection of students to public universities.

    Phiri, who is also a member of Parliament for Thyolo Central Constituency, said the introduction of the online application system will ease the process students used to undergo to secure places in public universities.

    Phiri made the sentiments during an interface with NCHE representatives. NCHE organized the interface to brief parliamentarians on the progress it has made.

    Phiri explained that NCHE is responsible for the selection of students to universities, but in the past, parliamentarians and the community had many questions without answers as to why some candidates with good scores were not selected.

    MPs and NCHE officials locked in a meeting

    “This is the computer system that has been programmed, and according to the demonstrations that have been given to us, it’s a brilliant system and can’t be manipulated easily, so we are sure that a computer is very intelligent and you can manage it better than an individual,” said Phiri.

    NCHE Chairperson Beatrice Mtimuni concurred with Phiri, saying that the online application system is the way to go because they have experienced constraints in the past where candidates who scored 14 points or less were not selected.

    She added that the online system would help candidates choose the right program for which they qualify.

    As part of the process, NCHE will organize sensitization clinics in designated secondary schools across the country to educate candidates on how the online system works.

  • Minister Sendeza says structural challenges hampering electricity, internet access in Malawi

    Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Muonaowauza Sendeza, has disclosed that structural challenges continue to hamper digitalization in Malawi.

    Sendeza highlighted access to electricity, internet connectivity, poor or weak telecommunications infrastructure, low access to gadgets or high cost of electronic gadgets, and the limited ability of individuals to use digital solutions as some of the challenges hindering digitalization drive.

    The minister made the remarks in New York in the United States of America (USA) where she is attending the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

    Sendeza disclosed that only 20 percent of Malawians have access to internet, and this challenge largely affects women and girls.

    “As reported by the African Union that poor access to broadband internet represents a major hurdle, particularly for people living in rural and remote areas, to fully harness the potential of digital transformation, also affects Malawi. Malawi has been pursuing the course of reducing gender inequalities in STEM through the implementation of the country’s strategic development blueprints, which are the Malawi Growth and Development Strategies, and more recently the Malawi 2063 development agenda,” she said.

    She added “The Malawi 2063 development agenda identifies science and technology as one of the enablers for achieving sustainable development. It emphasizes the importance of reducing gender inequalities and improving opportunities for all people without discrimination. It further regards gender equality as one of the key human capital development enablers driving economic growth and a vibrant knowledge-based digital economy. It further recognizes the importance of science, technology and innovation to harness the country’s competitive advantage in the inclusive wealth creation and self-reliance agenda.”

    Sendeza further stated that since the Government of Malawi places issues of STEM at the center of the country’s development, it instituted the National Commission on Science and Technology, as a driver for propelling meaningful development.

    She said the Malawi Government realizes the importance of mainstreaming gender in science, technology and innovation. In actualizing this realization, the National Commission for Science and Technology has been implementing a number of initiatives that aim at inculcating a science and technology culture in the country.

    Sendeza: Malawi Government is committed to addressing these challenges

    She cited the establishment of the Women in Science and Technology Network, comprising Malawian women scientists, researchers and technologists from the academia, private sector, civil society and government, the Constitution of Malawi, in Sections 20 and 41, which upholds the principle of equal rights for men and women and prohibits any discrimination based on gender or marital status.

    “This is to ensure that women and girls fully participate in all development activities including the participation in STEM and other digital technologies and innovations. To demonstrate this, Malawi conducts the Presidential Delivery Unit Digitalization labs to provide comprehensive guidance to transform Malawi into a wealthy and self-reliant nation through provision of integrated and inclusive ICT, digital systems and life enhancing services, Annual commemoration of the International Girls ICT Day since 2017, the African Development Bank-funded STEM in Universities Project where scholarships are awarded to girls who have been admitted in STEM programmes and academic staff proceeding for further studies in STEM programmes. It is targeting especially all the public universities and their research entities,” said Sendeza.

    She also cited A USAID Project entitled Strengthening Higher Education Access in Malawi, which supports Adolescent Girls and Young Women with the objective of increasing access to education for adolescent girls and young women, persons with disabilities, vulnerable and other disadvantaged youth, and the higher education institutions such as the Malawi University of Science and Technology, which annually organize Girls Camps to encourage adolescent girls in secondary schools and female first year students studying STEM at MUST and other public universities to make good use of science and technology opportunities in their institutions.

    “Allow me to reiterate that the Malawi Government is committed to promoting women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in STEM and Innovation. While realizing that Technology is a gateway to accessing information and services, and to participating in all spheres of life, we should be mindful that other people’s rights are not infringed upon, especially women and girls, by the same technology through cyber bullying,” thus concluded Sendeza.

  • Ireland asks developed countries to support Malawi’s social protection programs

    Head of Cooperation in the Embassy of Ireland, Mark Montgomery, on Thursday made an impassioned appeal to his fellow development partners to collectively work together in order to maximize the outcome of funding invested in social protection programs in Malawi.

    Montgomery made the appeal in Lilongwe on Thursday during the Roundtable Discussion on Social Protection Programs and Climate Resilience in Malawi.

    The MwAPATA Institute – an independent agricultural policy think tank in Malawi – in partnership with the Embassy of Ireland organized the roundtable event to disseminate the results of the recent study on patterns of social safety nets, weather shocks, and household food security status in Malawi.

    The Irish Head of Cooperation said social protection programmes in Malawi have embraced a multi-stakeholder approach that seeks to build long-term resilience of households as part of a broader effort to achieve the aspirations of Malawi2063.

    Montgomery: We need to maximize the outcome of funding invested in social protection programs

    “I, therefore, would like to call upon fellow development partners to collectively work together in order to maximize the outcome of funding invested in social protection programs,” he said.

    He also charged government ministries and departments to effectively coordinate and come up with complementary action points to assure strong national social protection programming system that leverages funding efficiency.

    “Let me also invite the Civil Society Organisations to continue actively investing in the various social protection interventions implemented in the country. Our collective and well-coordinated efforts are key to a Malawi that is socially and economically sustainable as stipulated in the Malawi 2063 agenda. Together, we can improve the resilience of poor, marginalized and vulnerable groups by stimulating their ability to prepare for, cope with and adapt to shocks,” he said.

    MwAPATA Institute Executive Director William Chadza disclosed that findings of the study presented at the discussion was a key component of the broader feasibility study for the Jobs for Youth – Infrastructure Development, Sustainable Environment and Food Security Program under the Malawi National Youth Service whose broader feasibility study is being coordinated by the Ministry of Youth and the National Planning Commission.

    Chadza: Findings to provide in-depth understanding of effectiveness of existing social protection programs and household-level shocks

    Chadza added that the findings would provide an in-depth understanding of the effectiveness of existing social protection programs and household-level shocks.

    “This is key to reprogramming of social protection programs in this country. We are confident that during this roundtable event, you, our distinguished guests, will discuss the linkages between social protection and climate resilience in this country. We are hopeful that the recommendations that will emerge from the presentations, panel discussions and plenary session will contribute to strategies for promoting resilience and mitigating against the effects of future climatic shocks; as the country pursues its long-term goal of reducing the number of people in need of social protection; by creating wealth for all Malawians,” he said.

    In her remarks, Director of Poverty Reduction in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Patricia Zimpita, described social protection programs and climate resilience in Malawi as a ‘very important topic to the development and transformation of this nation in line with the aspirations outlined in Malawi 2063’.

    Zimpita said the Malawi Government is committed to transform Malawi into an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant industrialized upper-middle-income country by the year 2063.

    “To achieve this, the government recognizes the need for social protection both as a human right and as a means of ensuring shared prosperity with marginalized and vulnerable groups. However, the long-term goal is to reduce the number of people in need of social protection by creating wealth for all Malawians,” she said.

    Zimpita: social protection programs and climate resilience very important topic to the development and transformation of Malawi

    She added, “Thus, the strategy of the Government of Malawi is that going forward, social protection programs will embrace a longer-term approach to building the resilience of households to shocks which includes recurring natural disasters and weather adversities related to climate change.”

    Zimpita further stated that the Government of Malawi developed the National Resilience Strategy (2018-2030) to transition from “recurrent humanitarian appeals to protective and productive investments in complementary interventions targeting chronically food insecure and poor households supported by effective institutional coordination and multi-sectoral planning and implementation”.

    She said the multi-stakeholder approach to social protection is also proposing some reforms aimed at expanding the scope and reach of the current social protection landscape and strengthening the quality of the implementation of the programs.

    “This roundtable discussion is important since it will inform these reforms. I, therefore, would like to call upon all of you to be very candid in your contributions so that this meeting can produce comprehensive recommendations. Furthermore, I urge all relevant officials concerned with social protection and climate resilience present here, to utilize the recommendations from this meeting,” stressed Zimpita.