Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Taonga Sabola
Published on 2024-03-26 07:53:41
Barely three days after President Lazarus Chakwera declared a State of Disaster in 23 out of 28 districts in Malawi, Unicef has highlighted the severe impact of El Niño-induced prolonged heatwave and drought on children in the country. According to Unicef, approximately 4.59 million children in Malawi have been affected by the climate shocks, which have compromised their access to clean water, food, shelter, education, and safety.
In a statement released on Monday, Unicef emphasized that the lack of adequate rains, floods, and prolonged dry spells have resulted in significant damage to crops and food production in Malawi. This has directly affected about nine million people, including 4.59 million children. The organization expressed concern that community members who rely on agriculture are facing crop loss, leading to malnutrition among children or forcing them to work to support their families.
Eva Kadilli, Unicef’s Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, stressed the challenges faced by children due to the climate crisis. She highlighted the risks associated with limited access to clean water, including the spread of diseases, disruption of livelihoods, and forced displacement of communities. In response to these challenges, Unicef is implementing programs and services designed to protect children from the impact of climate change.
Unicef’s initiatives include providing treatment services to acutely malnourished children and pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as delivering prevention interventions such as nutrient-dense food, micronutrient supplements, counseling, and cash transfers to children in affected areas. The organization is also working to establish shock-responsive education systems that can ensure continuity of learning during and after crises. This involves investing in various remote learning modalities, both digital and non-digital, to reach all children, particularly the most vulnerable ones.
Kadilli warned that extreme weather events are expected to become more frequent in Eastern and Southern Africa in the coming years. She emphasized the importance of strengthening social services to enhance the resilience of children, families, and communities in the face of climate change. Kadilli called for collective action to mitigate the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations in the region.
President Chakwera, addressing the nation, acknowledged the devastating effects of the climate crisis on Malawi’s agricultural sector. He reported that close to two million farming households have been affected, with a significant portion of maize and other crops damaged by the extreme weather conditions. Chakwera estimated that nearly 600,000 metric tonnes of maize valued at K357.6 billion would be required for the humanitarian response program to address food insecurity in the country.
Despite the challenges faced by Malawi, Chakwera urged unity and cooperation among citizens to confront the ongoing disasters. He emphasized the need to set aside political differences and work together to ensure that no one in the country suffers from hunger. Chakwera’s call for national solidarity underscores the importance of collective action in responding to the impacts of climate change and supporting vulnerable populations in Malawi.
Read the original article on The Times
