Mejn for coordination in disaster response

Malawi Economic Justice Network (Mejn) programmes manager Cecilia Phiri says poor coordination and lack of transparency have affected disaster response in Nsanje District.

Speaking on Monday in the district during a stakeholders meeting on social accountability, she said some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who implement humanitarian activities are duplicating what others have done already.

Phiri said sometimes NGOs provide disaster survivors with kitchen utensils or plastic papers which they do not need.

She said: “We need to enhance collaboration among local structures, NGOs and traditional leaders to serve the people well. We need to ensure transparency and accountability in reporting and distribution of relief items.

“We should engage people on the country’s long-term development strategy, Malawi 2063 and link it with climate change issues.”

Nsanje District Council administrative officer Rotina Mlombwa said the impact on the ground is not a true reflection of resources claimed to have benefitted the survivors.

“However, there is always room for improvement if there is coordination among NGOs donating relief items to disaster survivors,” she said.

Councillor Rose Makiyi of Kalulu Ward in Nsanje North Constituency said most NGOs bypass the council and area development committees when distributing relief items because they do not want to be accountable to the council.

She asked Mejn to support the council to summon NGOs implementing projects in the district to discuss how they should work together.

Nsanje Civil Society Organisations Network chairperson Mike Dansa said some NGOs were refusing to work with them.

“NGOs that feel they have a lot of funding bypass us, which leads to duplication of activities,” he said.

Mejn is implementing a five-year project to promote social accountability in traditional authorities Malemia, Chimombo and Ndamera in Nsanje.