LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Youth and children are pushing for inclusion of their needs in the Malawi’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) process towards climate change adaptation programme.

The children and young people drawn from Salima, Ntchisi and Lilongwe want authorities to address key priority areas in the midst of natural disasters including education, water and sanitation, health, protection and participation in decision making.

With support from NGO Coalition on Child Rights (NGO CCR) in collaboration with National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC), this week children and young people presented the report to Environmental Affairs Departments (EAD) for action.

Naomi Precious Phiri from Chinsapo Secondary School said, “It’s high time authorities could address our concerns amid effects of climate change including recent Cyclones Freddy that let’s many of us not attending classes.

“We want authorities to put mechanism that address challenges that come with natural disasters that lessons must not be disrupted”.

Phiri demands, “We need proper sanitation facilities, shelters that support us during disasters”.

Echoing the same, NGO-CCR National Coordinator Henry Machemba emphasized the need for authorities to address children and youths concerns.

Machemba the report presented to authorities must see support in the 3.0 Malawi’s NDC process as its going to be updated for action.

“Children, youths are raising important issues that needs authorities attention. We need a responsive leadership that put children, youth in the centre of program as the nation future lies in them.

“This is the reason we keep on supporting children, youth in raising their voices that authorities must address their concerns on times before further disasters strike”, assures Machemba.

In his response, Golivati Gomani EAD Principal Environmental Officer in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Climate Change, Energy and Mining observes that children and youths have valid concerns which authorities will swiftly address them.

Gomani hinted that youths will invited for a number of stakeholders meetings towards updating the NDC process for their concerns inclusion.

The Maravi Post