By Chisomo Phiri
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA ) has called for concerted efforts in reducing disaster risks and the collective implementation of reconstruction initiatives aimed at ensuring resilience of vulnerable communities.
The call was made on Friday as the world was commemorating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) which falls on October 13 every year.
This year, the day was being commemorated under the theme “Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future”.
In a statement ,DoDMA said the United Nations General Assembly made a mid-term review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in May 2023 and adopted a resolution to fast-track the strengthening of disaster resilience.
Reads the statement in part: “In Malawi, IDDRR is being commemorated when the country is striving to recuperate from devastating effects of Tropical Cyclone Freddy (TCF) which affected 2.2 million people, displaced 650,000 people, left 679 dead and 537 missing.”
According to DoDMA, cyclone Freddy brought loss estimated at $506.7 million (over K500 billion) and the country needs $680.4 million (over K700 billion) for reconstruction and recovery.
