LILONGWE, Nov. 19 — Malawi has ratified the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Treaty, an African Union initiative that provides support to African countries struggling with climatic shocks. In a communication made public by the Malawian government Saturday, Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Kester Kaphaizi was said to have reaffirmed Malawi’s commitment to the objectives of ARC during the official ratification ceremony at African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, Friday. “So far, ARC has supported government efforts to alleviate hunger and food insecurity, especially as Malawi contends with adverse weather conditions,” he said.
Speaking to the audience, Professor Hajer Gueldich, legal counsel of the African Union, commended the southern African country for its decision to ratify the protocol. Malawi only signed an agreement for the establishment of ARC and has been actively participating in its programs since 2012 when the initiative started, benefiting 40 million U.S. dollars in insurance payouts. According to Gueldich, the ratification signifies a deeper collaboration between the landlocked country and ARC. ARC is a specialized agency of the African Union that assists AU member states in enhancing their capacity for planning, preparation, and response to extreme weather events and natural disasters. The aim is to achieve these objectives in a timely, cost-effective, and transparent manner, thereby protecting and improving the food security of vulnerable populations, according to ARC.
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