NTJWG Statement on International Day of Peace
Confronting New Barriers to Peace
“Today peace faces a new danger: the climate emergency, which threatens our security, our
livelihoods and our lives.” UN Secretary-General António Guterre
The NTJWG join the rest of the world in commemorating the International of Peace. Each year the International
Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a
day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.
The United Nations Member States adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 in a drive to
ensure that a peaceful world is based economic and social development for all people everywhere, and
ensure that their rights were protected. The Sustainable Goals cover a broad range of issues, including
poverty, hunger, health, education, climate change, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, environment
and social justice.
Sustainable Development Goal 13 “Climate Action ” is a call for immediate action by all to
lower greenhouse emissions, deforestation, and natural disasters, build resilience and improve
education on climate change. Affordable, scalable solutions such as renewable energy, clean
technologies are available to enable countries to adopt greener, efficient and more resilient
economies.
This year’s theme 2019 Theme: “Climate Action for Peace” resonates well with the effects of climate change
in Southern Africa. Tropical Cyclone Idai swept through and made landfall during the night of 14 to 15
March 2019 near Beira City, Sofala Province, in central Mozambique. The cyclone brought torrential rains
and winds to Sofala, Zambezia, Manica and Inhambane provinces. Even though warnings were issued,
Governments in the region did not do enough to evacuate people. The strength of the storm gained more
strength as it crossed land. However, it continued to bring strong winds and heavy rains as it made its way
across central Mozambique and into eastern Zimbabwe. Southern Malawi received heavy rains in the days
prior to the cyclone landfall.
Most parts of the Eastern Highlands in Zimbabwe and Central Mozambique were severely affected by the
cyclone. Close three million people were affected by the floods and caused at least 678 deaths in Malawi,
Mozambique and Zimbabwe. In Malawi, about 868,900 people have been impacted, with 59 deaths and
672 injuries recorded , according to the government. Nearly 87,000 people are estimated to be displaced.
While rapid needs assessments have been conducted in Nsanje and Phalombe districts, they continue in
Machinga, Mangochi and Zomba to verify initial estimates and determine the total number of people in
need of immediate humanitarian assistance. In Mozambique, about 1.85 million people have been affected,
with at least 447 deaths. Nearly 129,000 people have been accommodated in 143 sites across Sofala (103
sites), Manica (26 sites), Zambezia (10 sites) and Tete (4 sites), as of 25 March, 2019. Health and education
facilities have suffered significant damage, with more than 3,100 classrooms and 45 health centres impacted.
Some 72,260 houses have been totally destroyed , partially destroyed or flooded, according to Government
reports (2019). In addition, more than 474,150 hectares of crops have been damaged , which will impact
food security in the months ahead, particularly as the losses coincide with the annual harvest period.