Parliament wants cyclone funds audited

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has demanded an audit of Tropical Cyclone Freddy donations after authorities unveiled the status of assistance that runs into billions of kwacha.

The donations, channeled through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma), include over K2.2 billion cash and relief items valued at around K1.8 billion.

The press release that Dodma issued on Thursday also contains a significant number of supplies without value tags as Dodma was not advised by the donors.

PAC chairperson Mark Botomani in response to the press release said: “As long as these funds were given to the government, in whatever form, they become public funds and according to the Public Finance Management Act, all public funds are subjected to audit by the National Audit Office.”

He further said the audit will inspire confidence in donors and development partners.

“It is our expectation that the committee will be furnished with all relevant information at the earliest opportunity.

“This will enable the committee to do its work easily. Furthermore, this will also help to build and sustain trust between the government and all those that have made their donations thus far,” remarked Botomani.

The cyclone hit the Southern Region last month leaving a trail of terminal destruction, forcing President Lazarus Chakwera to declare a state of disaster.

Over 500 people died while hundreds of others are still missing. Further, the floods submerged and washed away thousands of hectares of crops and houses leaving more than half a million people displaced.

In the press release, commissioner for disaster management affairs Charles Kalemba said the listed donations do not include those made through affected councils.

“These will be published when compilation is completed. Any donation that was reported to Dodma after it was already made to affected councils, will be recognised after verification in consultation with the councils,” he said.

Kalemba added that donations sent through other humanitarian partners, grouping or individuals will be accounted for by the recipients.

“As such, they have not been reflected in this publication. Donors under this category will have to follow-up with their recipients.

“The department will be updating the public on donations made towards Tropical Cyclone Freddy response operations and issue a detailed report on utilisation,” said Kalemba.