The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) says advancement of emergency telecommunications strategies is vital for natural disaster preparedness across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Speaking during opening of a workshop on ITU – SADC Model National Emergency Telecommunications Plan (NETP) Implementation, and Early Warning for All (EW4All) Awareness on Wednesday in Lilongwe, MACRA Board Chairperson Bridget Chibwana highlighted the workshop’s significance in building capacity among SADC member states.
She emphasized that the initiative will encourage knowledge and skill-sharing in emergency telecommunications, supporting the development of effective national emergency communication plans and robust early warning systems.
“This workshop marks an important step in harmonizing disaster response strategies across the region. By creating a unified model for emergency communications, we can better prepare for natural disasters and mitigate their impact,” Chibwana stated.
Reflecting on Malawi’s experience with Cyclone Freddy in March 2023 which resulted in tragic loss of life, displacement, and infrastructure damage, Chibwana underscored the urgency of establishing robust communication systems for disaster response.
“Cyclone Freddy demonstrated the critical need for coordinated emergency telecommunications. By strengthening these systems, we can improve our readiness for future crises,” she noted.
In his words, Dr. George Ah-Athew, SADC’s Senior ICT Programmes Officer, emphasized the importance of a regional approach, especially as countries like Malawi, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe have faced severe natural disasters in recent years.
He highlighted the necessity for a cohesive telecommunications framework to ensure rapid response during emergencies.
“Tracking of progress made in disaster preparedness for each Member States, starts this week. The SADC Model NETP is a Prioritised Project in the RISDP 2020-2030, which aims to effect critical, meaningful and high-impact to the SADC Region,” he said.
The workshop has attracted participants from across the SADC region, including Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Madagascar.
Through information-sharing and joint efforts, these nations aim to build a more resilient and coordinated approach to natural disaster response, prioritizing the safety and well-being of their populations.
