Ubumbano Voice
By Mike Van Kamande
Youth Net and Counseling (Yoneco) executive director McBain Mkandawire says enhancing social and economic rights of Cyclone Ana and Gombe survivors would improve their health and nutrition security.
Speaking at Njema near the Malawi-Mozambique border in Mulanje on Saturday when the organization distributed food items to survivors Mkandawire said when people are in disasters priority should be on social and economic rights through provision of food and shelter more than any other rights.
“We normally focus on civil and political rights but what people affected by any disaster need most is food and shelter. Human rights activism in Malawi predominantly focuses on political participation, gender-based violence and sexual abuse but in reality, human rights extend to right to food, nutrition and shelter among others as enshrined in the Convention on Social and Economic Rights System.
“During disasters violations and rights abuse especially for women and children escalate. In terms of gravity Machinga, Mulanje and Chikwawa still top the list of worst performing districts in terms of GBV,” Mkandawire said.
He said apart from food and shelter the initiative will also focus on resilience, livelihoods and education among other areas.
One of the beneficiaries Ndiferanji Chiromo from Malunda Village in T/A Njema said most people that were affected by the cyclones need humanitarian assistance if they are to live dignified lives.
In his remarks T/A Njema said apart from the assistance from Yoneco survivors of Ana feel grossly neglected by government.
“Survivors are still reeling from the effects of Cyclone Ana and Gombe. They are sinking deep into poverty and need urgent intervention,” he said.
With funding from Vitol Foundation Yoneco is implementing the ‘Empowering for resilience, mitigation and protection of youth, women and children survivors of cyclone Ana-ERMPS’ project in Mulanje and Nsanje districts targeting about 1000 women and child-headed households and 4000 school children.
