Following the gravity of the devastating impact of Tropical Cyclone Freddy, the African Union (AU) Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) convened an extra-ordinary session of the Bureau of the AU Permanent Representatives’ Council (PRC) Sub-Committee on Special Emergency Assistance Fund for Drought and Famine in Africa (SEAF) on 30^th March 2023 to consider support for Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar.

The meeting of the Bureau of the PRC Sub- Committee on SEAF was chaired by H.E Mahamat Ali Hassan, Ambassador of the Republic of Chad in his capacity as the 1^st Vice Chairperson of the Bureau of the PRC Sub-committee on SEAF. The SEAF was established by the African Union as Pan- African mechanism to support AU’s response to disasters. The SEAF Fund is triggered by requests from member states in dire humanitarian need. The SEAF is managed by the AUC, DARBE which serves as the Secretariat and the fund is domiciled at the African Development Bank.

The Chairperson recognised that the session occurred in times of emergency and expressed sincere condolences and compassion for the governments and the people of the affected member states. The Bureau acknowledged Pan-African solidarity demonstrated by many African Countries in provision of financial, and other non-financial support to the affected countries. The Bureau further underscored the need for humanitarian partners to join forces with the African Union Commission to support the Republic of Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar to respond, recover and build resilience. The AU Commission requires approximately more than US$790 million to support response and recovery efforts in the three cyclone-hit countries.

Dr Jolly Wasambo, speaking on behalf of H.E Commissioner Josefa L.C Sacko, observed that the ongoing emergency situation in Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar was a glaring reminder to Africa to expedite the establishment and operationalisation of the Pan- African Civil Protection Mechanism for Disaster Preparedness and Response that will mobilise both financial and non-financial resources from member states. Speaking at the same extra-ordinary session, Dr . Wasambo  took the opportunity to remind the meeting to therefore prioritise investments in Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS), Africa Urban Resilience Programme, Programme of Action for the implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, Revised Africa Integrated Strategy for Meteorology (Weather and Climate Service), African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2032, Great Green Wall Initiatives, among others.

The members of the Bureau unanimously endorsed the Draft Decision and called upon the Commission to convene an international pledging conference of member states and partners within the next 3-6 months to replenish the SEAF to bolster AU’s capacity to anticipate, prepare and respond swiftly and support quick recovery interventions.

The Bureau urged the African Union member states to take advantage of the multi-hazard early warning advisories that are issued by the Commission through its Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS) Situation Room to inform anticipatory actions and preparedness. The Bureau commended the AU, DARBE for organising the extra-ordinary session to consider support for the affected member states. The Commission applauded the Bureau of the PRC Sub-committee for the prompt response to meet and explore how to support the three member states.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Gatkuoth Kai| Technical Coordinator for Disaster Risk Reduction| Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, | E-mail: KaiG@africa-union.org | WhatsApp: +251 909537884

For media enquiry:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Information and Communications Directorate | African Union Commission|+251-911-630 631; Molalett@africa-union.org

Ms. Maryanne Muriuki, Communication Specialist, Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, AU Commission. Email: MuriukiM@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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