Speaker of Parliament, the Right Honourable Sameer Suleman, has called for increased financial and humanitarian support as floods continue to affect communities across the country—but his appeal also highlights growing concern over the adequacy and effectiveness of the current response.
The call follows concerns raised by Yona Adadawiza Mkandawire, Member of Parliament for Rumphi West, who warned that the resources allocated so far remain insufficient despite ongoing government efforts.
While acknowledging the scale of the disaster, critics argue that recognizing the crisis is not enough without decisive and timely action on the ground.
Describing the situation as a “national disaster,” Rt. Hon. Suleman emphasized that nearly all constituencies have been affected. However, this admission has also intensified scrutiny—many are now asking why response mechanisms appear strained if the scale of the crisis is already well understood.
Data from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) indicates that at least 9,598 households have been affected, with deaths, injuries, and displacement recorded across 16 councils, including heavily impacted areas such as Zomba District, Chikwawa, and Machinga.
While the Speaker urged the private sector and well-wishers to step in—stating that “government alone cannot do everything”—this has sparked debate about whether sufficient preparedness and resource allocation were made before the situation escalated.
Calls for external support, though important, are being interpreted by some as a sign of gaps in internal coordination and response capacity.
With more rains expected, the warning that conditions may worsen only reinforces the urgency for a more robust, transparent, and coordinated approach—one that ensures affected communities receive immediate and adequate assistance, not just appeals for help.
As Parliament prepares to reconvene on 24 March 2026 for the 2026/2027 National Budget proceedings, attention is now turning to whether disaster response will be prioritized with the seriousness and resources it demands.
In times of crisis, leadership is measured not only by appeals—but by preparedness, delivery, and impact.
