The World Food Programme (WFP) says there is need for improved response to areas worst hit by disasters induced by cyclones in the country.

Speaking on Tuesday during a testing of early warning system and preparedness capacity of Malawian institutions’ response to floods in Blantyre, WFP deputy country director Simon Denhere said lack of holistic response plans to Cyclone Freddy forced them to spend more on delivering relief items to cut-off areas using helicopters.

He said: “There were gaps in response plans as agencies, including government did not

prepare ourselves to deliver humanitarian aid to cut off areas. This left WFP with no option, but to use helicopters.

Some of the technical staff follow presentation during the meeting

“It is 10 times more expensive to airlift food to survivors than using trucks. Now we have to be ready when the next one comes in because the money we spent on helicopters we could have fed more people.”

Denhere said with cyclones becoming more frequent due to climate change, policy makers

  should promote mitigation and prevention efforts among communities.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction external relations officer Adair Ackley said the testing exercise is key to managing climate change-related risks.

She said: “All actors in emergency preparedness and disaster response have to contribute to the update and development of standard operating procedures for multi-hazard early warning systems to minimise damage and losses, and improve response. Not all risks should become disasters.”

The three-day exercise brought together technical experts from various sectors to contribute to the preparedness plan.

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