Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) chairperson Bridget Chibwana has emphasised the critical role of communication in disaster response, saying effective communication is crucial in saving lives.
She said this yesterday in Lilongwe during the opening of a regional meeting on the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Model N a t i o n a l Eme r g e n c y Telecommunications Plan implementation and Early Warning for All initiative.
The workshop, organised in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), focuses on improving disaster preparedness and communication systems across Southern Africa.
Chibwana said in times of crisis, effective communication can mean the difference between life and death.
She said: “And that is why it is so important for us to work together to ensure that our telecommunications systems are robust, reliable, and accessible to all.”
Chibwana further said the meeting provides an opportunity to Sadc countries to review the progress of emergency telecommunications in the region and share country-specific lessons, while reflecting on the devastating impact of Cyclone Freddy, which hit Malawi in 2023.
“The cyclone caused significant loss of life and infrastructure damage, underscoring the need for robust emergency communications to ensure quick and effective responses and considering this, Macra has established an emergency telecommunications operational centre, which coordinates telecommunications services during crises.
“The initiative, supported by the ITU, is a key part of Malawi’s National Emergency Telecommunications Plan,” she said
On his part, Sadc information and communications technology senior programme officer George Ah-Thew praised the meeting as a major step toward strengthening regional disaster communication.
He said: “The Sadc model is a guiding tool that helps member States enhance emergency communication capabilities. It enables swift information flow across all levels of government and communities at risk during disaster management phases.”
Expected outcomes of the meeting include enhanced capacity on emergency telecommunications, an assessment report on Sadc early warning system readiness, and an established emergency telecommunications directory.
