Muluzi Hosts UN Coordinator for Cyclone Relief Effort Discussion

Malawi- Former Malawi President, Dr. Bakili Muluzi, who now serves as a Goodwill Ambassador, met with the new UN Resident Coordinator to Malawi, Miss Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, on Friday to discuss the United Nations' response to the cyclone relief effort in Malawi, writes AfricaBrief Correspondent.

During the meeting at his BCA Hill private residence in Blantyre, Dr. Muluzi explained the severe impact Cyclone Freddy had on the lives of victims and the country as a whole. He lobbied for more humanitarian and technical support in the affected areas.

Dr. Muluzi submitted a list of priority areas that require urgent intervention, including food, potable water, sanitation, protection of children, prevention of gender-based violence, sanitation and hygiene, health care, shelter, and a plan for reopening schools.

For medium-term interventions, Dr. Muluzi proposed social protection programs, seed and fertilizers for farmland and livestock, and the reconstruction of bridges, roads, and housing.

For medium to long-term interventions, he suggested lobbying developed nations for debt cancellation so that Malawi can use its resources for its reconstruction program with reference to COP28 (Conference of Parties) on climate change to be held in November 2023 in the UAE.

Dr. Muluzi commended the UN for playing a central role in coordinating donor response efforts in the affected areas.

The UN family has so far contributed $5.5 million towards the country's efforts to help the victims of Cyclone Freddy.

The meeting took place just a day after President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera met with Dr. Muluzi and former President Dr. Joyce Banda.

President Dr. Chakwera has since appointed Dr. Muluzi and Dr. Joyce Banda as Malawi's Goodwill Ambassadors to help present the Malawi case to the outside world on the damage Cyclone Freddy has caused the country and to assist in resource mobilization.

Dr. Muluzi ruled Malawi from 1994, after Malawi attained multiparty democracy, to 2004.