Department for Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) has disclosed that it is yet to raise the full amount of the resources required for the El Nino response, with the shortfall standing at $48 million (about K73.5 billion).
In an interview on the sidelines of a meeting with World Food Programme country manager Simon Denhere and Korean Ambassador Jae Kyung Park in Lilongwe on Thursday, Dodma deputy director Fyabupi Mwafongo said Dodma is yet to raise the full amount of the $446 million required for the El Nino response.
the meeting on Thursday. | Jacob Nankhonya
He, however, said 78 percent of the required funds have been raised.
Said Mwafongo: “Specifically, for the food security cluster, the requirement was $197 million. So far, 78 percent of the needed funds have been raised, but there remains a $42 million shortfall to fully meet the demand.”
On his part, Park, whose government made a $1.5 million (about K2.6 billion) donation towards the multi-donor pool fund for the response programme, expressed satisfaction with the way WFP has used the funds.
The envoy also hinted at supporting more programmes that promote resilience among communities impacted by disasters.
Said Park: “Natural disasters are unpredictable, but if further disasters occur, Korea is ready and willing to provide more assistance.
“However, it is also important to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best. The focus should be on adapting to climate change impacts and providing sustainable development assistance.”
Asked if the aftermath of Cyclone Jude will affect the El Nino response plan which the organisation is implementing in collaboration with Dodma, Denhere said no major changes are expected.
He said: “WFP works closely with the Government of Malawi to anticipate disasters and respond accordingly.
“Preparations were already made, and a WFP team is currently in Blantyre and other districts in the South, monitoring the situation. If intervention is needed, WFP is ready to respond.”
Denhere explained that the El Nino response has been going on well despite challenges, including the coinciding of the lean season with the cyclone season, which stretches resources as WFP shifts from assisting people affected by the lean season to those impacted by cyclones.
However, he hailed Dodma for leading the response which will see WFP assisting 2.1 million people, with 90 percent of the target already reached.
Additional food is still being brought into the country from Tanzania with support from the World Bank.
