US, Malawi, Zambia partner in disaster, security response

 The United States (US), Zambia and Malawi have announced a joint State Partnership Programme expected to build capacity in disaster response and security cooperation among the three countries.

A statement issued by the US Embassy in Lilongwe yesterday said the tripartite programme links US National Guard units with partner countries’ security forces and disaster response organisations in a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship.

Under the arrangement, the US National Guard units plan to conduct several joint activities each year with Malawi and Zambia in support of shared security goals.

Reads in part the statement: “These activities go beyond traditional military-to-military engagements and may include emergency management and disaster response exercises, border and port security programmes, leadership and officer development, medical capacity-building, economic security strengthening, natural resource protection, peacekeeping operations, counter-trafficking, counter-proliferation and counter-terrorism support.

“A key component of the State Partnership Programme is improving disaster response capabilities. For example, when Cyclone Freddy tore through the region last month, Zambia and Malawi worked together on search and rescue and disaster response in the aftermath of the storm. Moving forward, the State Partnership Programme will enable both countries to work in partnership with National Guard units to further enhance those disaster response capabilities.”

The statement further said the programme has been in existence for 30 years and includes partnerships between countries around the world, including South Africa, Botswana and 14 other African countries with National Guard units from all 54 American states and territories.

A State Partnership Programme is a long-term partnership that lasts for decades and increases the readiness of US and partner forces to meet emerging challenges apart from being an avenue for spurring strong people-to-people relations beyond the security realm.

Cyclone Freddy killed at least 676 people in the Southern Region injured about 2 171 others while the number of those displaced stands at 659 278 and 533 are missing, according to data from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs.

Over 2.2 million people are also believed to have lost their crops and livestock as 179 223 hectares of land were destroyed.