SANF 19 no 12
The Southern African Development Community has launched an international appeal to support victims to cope with the impact of Tropical Cyclone Idai that affected parts of Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe in March.
An estimated three million people in the three SADC member states were affected by Cyclone Idai, which has been recorded as one of the worst tropical storms to ever affect Africa and the southern hemisphere.
The cyclone claimed hundreds of lives and left a trail of destruction in the three countries, including key infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and clinics.
To support the humanitarian needs and disaster response recovery of the affected countries, SADC Chairperson, President Hage Geingob of Namibia launched an appeal for US$323 million on 11 April.
The appeal is expected to complement ongoing efforts being implemented by the region and the affected countries to address the situation.
Speaking at the launch ceremony for the appeal held in Windhoek, Namibia, Geingob said the intensity and gravity of the Cyclone Idai emphasised “the need for collaborative efforts and support from partners to improve our preparedness and enhance the capacity to respond to the negative impacts of climate change and other disasters.”
“I wish to emphasise that through our joint efforts, in response to disasters in the past, we were able to overcome the challenges,” he said.
“It is for this reason that I am launching the SADC Appeal for Humanitarian Assistance to save lives and alleviate human suffering of all the affected communities.”
President Geingob urged the international community to continue assisting in rebuilding the livelihoods of the affected communities in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
SADC Executive Secretary, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax concurred, saying a collective approach to addressing the impact of Cyclone Idai will yield positive results.
“Allow me to thank member states and our international cooperating partners for rendering support to alleviate the suffering of the affected communities during the floods and the period immediately after, until now,” Dr Tax said.
“Your support has gone a long way in saving lives and livelihoods, and will be remembered by the affected communities for a long time to come.”
She said in the past few years the region has experienced extreme weather conditions and events, including the increased frequency of floods, cyclones, and droughts that have had devastating impacts on SADC.
As such, it is critical for the region to come up with viable and innovative measures to enable Member States to adapt and cope with the challenges posed by climate change.
“There is a revelation that as climate change intensifies, Cyclone Idai will be remembered as a relatively insignificant weather event,” she said, adding that “the era of super-storms and cyclones is just around the corner.”
“Therefore, the earlier we undertake measures to reduce global warning, lessen the impacts of climate change and variability and be better prepared for the impending disasters, the better.”
She said the region’s response to the impacts of Cyclone Idai had highlighted shortfalls in the disaster management capacity, including in early warning, preparedness, response and recovery that the region needs to address as a matter of urgency.
In recognition of this, Dr Tax, said the SADC Secretariat is, in collaboration with Member States, in the process of developing a strategy for effective coordination of responses to disasters.
Finalization of the SADC Disaster Preparedness and Response Strategy will ensure that mechanisms and adequate resources are promptly put in place for the effective management of disasters.
