Catholic Bishops’ Key Lessons on Emergency Response from Previous Disasters in Malawi

“In the past, many people would lose lives and their dignity because of the delayed response,” Chimwemwe Sakunda said during the Tuesday, January 9 interview.

To address delay, the ECM development arm that was feted in December last year for exemplary emergency response has come up with emergency funding to help victims to their feet.

Need for Community empowerment

Mrs. Sakunda said that when communities are empowered in disaster risk management, they can respond timely and save lives even before other supporters come in.

“This is why we always advocate for community-based disaster risk management and as a church organization we have empowered our church structures and other community-based structures in disaster-prone areas to take the leading role in disaster response,” she said.

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Material and Psychological Support

According to the CADECOM official, psychological support is needed as much as material donations when disaster strikes.

Mrs. Sakunda argued against overlooking the trauma and stress that come with disasters. This, she said, “has a huge impact on mental health which eventually has negative effects on development.”

The CADECOM National Coordinator said that they are working with the ECM pastoral commission to “provide psychosocial support to the survivors of the disasters.” 

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.