Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has established a National Emergency Operation Centre in Blantyre to coordinate response efforts as Cyclone Chido advances into Malawi.
DoDMA has assured the public that measures are in place to provide effective and timely assistance to those affected by the cyclone.
In their first situation report, the Department discloses that the centre has been set up at the old Malawi Electoral Commission offices, with smaller centres set up in districts that might be affected by the cyclone.
Drawing lessons from the two major disasters that hit the country last year, DoDMA and other stakeholders have shown high levels of proactiveness with early warning systems implemented and standby emergency response structures set.
In the meantime, over 19 boats have been deployed to eight flood prone districts for search and rescue preparedness.
