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MALAWI DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION RESEARCH FOR CORDAID

Final Report

By

Rodney W. Lunduka, PhD

Mthakati A. R. Phiri, PhD

Chrispin Kambani, MSc

Christopher Boyer Fr.

Submitted to

The Secretary General

Episcopal Conference of Malawi

P.O. Box 30384

Lilongwe

September, 2010

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Bunda Team in partnership with Centre for Social Concerns express their gratitude and thanks to CORDAID for entrusting us with this task. As researchers we take such opportunities to learn more and this gave us a chance to increase our knowledge in DRR and CCA issues in Malawi. The Team would like is also grateful to all the staff of Episcopal Conference of Malawi, especially Messrs. Carsterns Mulume, Luis and Paul Kachelenga, for their time and assistance in logistical arrangement. We were able to travel and meet all relevant stakeholder with much easy because of such efficient logistical arrangements. We are very grateful.

The study would have not been very smooth had it not been for the warm welcome and friendly discussion we had with numerous stake holders. The team would like to that all the stakeholders for their time and important information. Special thanks are due to DoDMA specifically Mrs Gift Mafuleka for their time and information on DRR and CCA in Malawi.

We sincerely hope that report contains accurate information DRR and CCA in Malawi in line with the NGOs, FBOs, and international organisations inferred or specific, in line with the study terms of reference. Should there be any errors, it is the sole responsibility of the Study Team.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Catholic Organisation for Relief and Development Aid (CORDAID), a Netherland based organisation is working on the next strategic Programme for 2011-2015 in which Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) will remain a separate programme for some more years, but also in 2011-2015 period, CORDAID would like to mainstream/integrate CMDRR and CCA in other programmes, like entrepreneurship (access to markets/ value chain development for small farmers and microfinance for small rural enterprise) and health. In order to finalise the strategic Programme, CORDAID through CADECOM engaged a team of consultants from Bunda and Centre for Social Concern to carry out a small study on Disaster Risk reduction and Climate change adaptation. The disaster risk reduction/climate change adaptation study was carried out with the main objective of developing information which will assist in the development of the CORDAID strategic programme. Among other things the proposed CORDAID programme will aim at identifying new partners and scaling up some good practices being identified from the on-going or completed projects implemented by a selected list of NGOs. These activities are mainly in DRR and CCA in Malawi.

Malawi is particularly exposed and vulnerable to drought and floods, and the associated hazards of epidemics and landslides. From 1979 to 2008, natural disasters affected nearly 21.7 million people and killed about 2,596 people. Malawi’s vulnerability is linked to specific geo-climatic factors. Malawi has of let experience an increase in number of such disasters. The floods and drought have been accelerated due to climate change impact while the some of the disease epidemics are secondary and tertiary impact of the floods and drought. These hazards are common in low lying lake shore and lower shire districts of Karonga, Salima, Machinga, Mangochi Zomba Chikhwawa, and Nsanje. These districts have also been identified as the vulnerable in the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA).

In response to these hazards the Government developed an act in 1991, which is currently being reviewed to be in line with a new policy yet to be developed. This is aimed at harmonising response to the hazards and also reduction of their impacts. The new policy on DRR and CCA which will then be used for review the 1991 Act is currently being developed with resources from UNDP. This will facilitate the formalization of operation and structures which will be used to address DRR and CCA issues. This National DRR/CCA policy development programme seems well funded. CORDAID may have to concentrate on livelihood programmes and advocacy and awareness in the vulnerable communities.

Currently a number of international and local organisations are carrying several programmes and activities in DRR and CCA in most of the vulnerable districts. Donor partners like DFID Irish Aid World Bank, UNDP have funded several programmes and NGOs who have been implementing DRR and CCA activities in rural communities. Most DRR and CCA activities have centred on production either using drought resistance crops in drought prone areas, or introduction of irrigation as response to water stress or even improvement in soil fertility by introduction of organic manure, agro-forestry and conservation agriculture. However, such interventions have proved unsustainable when project phases out. A number or constrains have been identified some of which are inability of rural famers to pay for energy cost of irrigation systems, low pricing of agricultural output from irrigation, poor storage facilities hence produce either sold at low prices high storage loses, poor road network hence making

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products inaccessible to potential buyers. To address these issues, power sources must be sustainable and cheap. Solar energy has proven to be sustainable and cheap in long run to run for rural farmers in Nsanje (by CARD) and Salima (By REDCROSS) though it has huge initial cost. Learning from these successful projects can help extend such technologies and hence sustain the projects.

In other areas increase in production has increase supply of agricultural products thereby flooding the market and reducing prices hence farmers are unable to finance the intervention after project phases out. Incorporating marketing and village savings clubs ensures that farmers are able to secure good markets, and also be able to save their earning for future use or investment.

To ensure coordination and also learning from success stories, at the NGO level a network has been established aimed at coordinating the implementation of DRR and CCA activities among the implementing NGOs. This network, Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CSNCC) has voluntary membership and currently being chaired by the NGO CARD. These member meet regularly to discuss DRRand CCA activities and lobbying and policy advocacy issues.

However, at local level a number of areas still require assistance. Local NGOs, FBOs and CBOs operating in these areas and their activities have been reviewed to learn from them and assess areas of possible CORDAID support. The district most in need of DRR and CCA assistance and partners are Karonga, Salima, Mangochi, Balaka, Zomba, Chikhwawa and Nsanje. A number of NGOs already operating in these areas have been proposed and include CADECOM, NASFAM, CEPA, CSC, for advocacy and awareness, CADECOM, REDCROSS, CARD, EAM, ARCORD and MALEZA for livelihood programmes and catchment conservation. These have very good programmes on the ground but are constrained in their resource.

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Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................... ii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................... iii

Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... v

Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................... vii

1.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1

2.0 BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................ 1

3.0 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE STUDY ............................................................. 2

4.0 METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH ............................................................................. 2

4.1 Literature review ......................................................................................................... 2

4.2 Stakeholder consultations ............................................................................................ 3

5.0 DEFINITION OF TERMS IN THE DOCUMENT ........................................................ 3

5.1 Risk vs hazard ............................................................................................................. 3

5.2 Disaster risk reduction ................................................................................................. 4

5.3 Climate change adaptation .......................................................................................... 4

6.0 VULNERABLE AREAS TO NATURAL DISASTERS IN MALAWI ........................ 5

6.1 Climate change related disasters (floods and droughts) .............................................. 5

6.2 Health and diseases ..................................................................................................... 9

7.0 OVERVIEW OF DRR AND CCA POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES IN MALAWI 10

7.1 National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework, 2010-2015 ........................................... 10

7.2 The National Disaster Preparedness and Relief Committee (NDPRC). ........................ 12

7.3 The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) ....................................... 12

7.4 Malawi Disaster Risk Management Policy .............................................................. 12

7.5 The Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act of 1991 (DPR Act 1991)....................... 14

7.6 Malawi’s National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA ................................ 15

7.7 Current programmes in Malawi on DRR and CCA .................................................. 15

7.7.1 The Climate Adaptation for Rural Livelihoods and Agriculture Project ........... 16

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7.8 CROSS CUTTING ISSUES ..................................................................................... 16

7.8.1 Gender ................................................................................................................ 16

7.8.2 Health/ HIV/AIDS ............................................................................................. 16

8.0 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME AND POLICY REVIEW .................................. 17

8.1 Overview of DRR policies and organisations ........................................................... 17

8.2 Overview of CCA policies and organisations ........................................................... 18

8.3 International organisation programmes ..................................................................... 18

8.3.1 UNDP- Enhancing National and Local Capacity in Disaster Risk Reduction in Malawi 18

9.0 CURRENT PROGRAMMES IN MALAWI ON DRR AND CCA ............................. 19

9.1 Advocacy and awareness creation............................................................................. 20

9.2 DRR and CCA projects ............................................................................................. 21

9.2.1 Capacity Building for Soil and Land Management in Shire River Basin .......... 21

9.2.2 The Presidential Green Belt Initiative................................................................ 21

9.2.3 The Malawi National Drought Insurance .......................................................... 21

9.2.4 District assemblies planning .............................................................................. 22

9.2.5 Livelihood and environmental conservation ...................................................... 22

9.2.6 Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CSNCC) ....................................... 23

9.3 Health and gender...................................................................................................... 23

10.0 RECOMMENDED POSSIBLE CORDAID SUPPORT .............................................. 23

10.1 National programmes ............................................................................................ 23

10.2 Advocacy , capacity building and knowledge creation of DRR and CCA ............ 25

10.3 Livelihood improvements ...................................................................................... 26

10.4 Gender issues Health and HIV/AIDS issues ......................................................... 28

10.6 Local NGOs ........................................................................................................... 29

11.0 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 31

12.0 REFERENCES ...................................................................................................... 32

13.0 Appendix ....................................................................................................................... 34

Abbreviations ACPC Area Civil protection Committee ACORD Association for Community Rural Development ADC Area Development Committee ASWAp Agriculture Sector Wide Approach CADECOM Catholic Development Commission of Malawi CARD Churches Action in Relief and Development CARLA Climate Adaptation for Rural Livelihoods on Agriculture CBO Community Based Organization CCA Climate Change Adaptation CEPA Centre for Environmental Policy Analysis CISANET Civil Society Agriculture Network CORDAID Catholic Organisation for Relief & Development AID (from

The Netherlands) CPC Civil Protection Committee CRS Catholic Relief Services CSO Civil Society Organization CU Concern Universal DCPC District Civil Protection Committee DEAP District Environmental Action Plans DEC District Executive Committee DEOR District Environment Outlook Reports DFID Department for International Development DoDMA Department of Disaster Management Affairs DRM Disaster Risk Management DRR Disaster Risk Reduction EAM Evangelical Association of Malawi ELDS Evangelical Lutheran Development Service GEF Global Environmental Fund GFDRR Global Fund on Disaster Risk Reduction JEFAP Joint Emergency Food Aid Programme IPCC Inter-Panel MEHEN Malawi Health Equity Network HFA Hyogo Framework of Action MDG Millennium Development Goal MEJN Malawi Economic Justice Network MGDS Malawi Growth and Development Strategy NAPA NASFAM

National Adaptation Programmes of Action National Association for Smallholder Farmers in Malawi

NGO Non-Governmental Organization NDPRC National Disaster Preparedness and Relief Committee PCVA Participatory Community Vulnerability Assessment TA Traditional Authority UNDAF United Nations Development Assistance Framework UNDP United Nations Development Programme USAID United States Agency for International Development VA Village Agents VCA Vulnerability Capacity Assessment

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VCPC Village Civil Protection Committee VDC Village Development Committee VSLA Village Savings and Loans Association WB World Bank WALA Wellness and Agriculture for Life Advancement

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Catholic Organisation for Relief and Development Aid (CORDAID), a Netherland based organisation is working on the next strategic Programme for 2011-2015 in which Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) will remain a separate programme for some more years, but also in 2011-2015 period, CORDAID would like to mainstream/integrate CMDRR and CCA in other programmes, like entrepreneurship (access to markets/ value chain development for small farmers and microfinance for small rural enterprise) and health. In Malawi, CORDAID is currently supporting Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) through CADECOM on CMDRR and CCA. However, CORDAID would like to expand its net work in Malawi regarding CMDRR programmes support to some new relevant partners and mainstream CMDRR in the current partners. This report presents findings of the review of the policies, programmes and organisations working in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) /Climate Adaptation Programmes with a view to identify partners and mainstreaming of CMDRR in programmes of its partners where relevant.

2.0 BACKGROUND

Climate change is a major global threat. Over the last century, global temperatures have risen by 0.7°C. Sea levels are rising at three millimetres a year and Arctic sea ice is melting at almost three per cent a decade. Continued warming of the atmosphere at the same rate will result in substantial damage to water resources, ecosystems and coastlines, as well as having an impact on food supplies and health. A large number of other climatic changes have also been observed, including: an increase in the global area affected by drought; more frequent heat waves over most land areas; increased heavy precipitation events over most land areas; an increased incidence of extreme high sea level worldwide. These climatic changes have adverse negative effects in countries that depend directly on natural resources for livelihood.

Malawi is heavily dependent on natural resources, mainly soils, water, fisheries from inland lakes and fuel wood from forests. These climatic changes pose a great threat to a large number of people’s livelihoods. Recently, Malawi has witness an increase in disasters related to climate change, like floods and drought. For example, over the last ten years the Shire Valley in southern Malawi, has experienced some of the worst droughts (1991/92) and floods (2000/01) in living memory. Floods have resulted in severe crop loss, infrastructure destruction, including roads and the only rail line that links the south to the centre, resulting in serious socio-economic disruptions, food insecurity, and diseases, such as diarrhoea, cholera and malaria.

The Government, Donors and Non Governmental Organisations have stepped up in developing strategies, policies and programmes aimed at reducing the risk of communities faced with the threats of floods and drought, and also developing strategies, technologies and activities that will help the communities to adapt to climate change in long run.

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3.0 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE STUDY

1. Provide a brief overview of the present DRR and CCA policies, programmes and network of the Government of Malawi (DoDMA), Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, Ministry of Health and others.

2. Give an overview of key regions and districts, traditional authorities or local areas in Malawi which are most prone to the most common natural hazards e.g. drought, flooding, HIV/AIDS and possible others.

3. Provide a brief overview of present DRR and CCA policies, programmes and networks of key international and national/Local NGO, (including FBO) which are already working in DRR and CCA in Malawi.

4. Brief analysis and recommendations on ( based on the above) on what possibilities /niches there are for CORDAID to support programmes on National/ Local NGOs which are already working on DRR and CCA in Malawi.

5. After discussions with CORDAID on a draft report (written by the consultants) describing the outcome of the above issues, identify which national/local NGOs are interested to collaborate with CORDAID on DRR and CCA in Malawi and identify how they see this collaboration (based on CORDAID’s key collaboration strategies: Financial support to programmes of NGOs, Organisational capacity building for NGOs, Knowledge sharing/documentation and linking and learning, lobby and advocacy) Under all components, specific attention should be given to gender issues and promotion of gender equality in DRR and CCA.

4.0 METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH

4.1 Literature review

This was a desk study that required review of document. In reviewing the policies and programmes, special attention was given to how the policies on DRR and CCA address gender issues and how the programmes have been implemented with regards to gender equality and health issues. Gaps in the policies and activities in the implementation have been highlighted and proposed amendments recommended.

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4.2 Stakeholder consultations Stakeholders in DRR and CCA were identified and consulted. When conducting consultations, the consultants used two approaches. The first approach was Key Informants Interviews (KIIs) with individual consultations with heads of institutions that were identified together with the client (ECM-CADECOM). This approach enabled the consultants to have an in-depth discussion with organisational heads with regards to policies and programmes being implemented on DRR/CCA. The second approach was Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). This was done in the field where local communities were consulted in groups. The first step was at District assembly where all stakeholders involved in DRR/CCA were requested to attend a consultation meeting through the DC. Heads of the institutions or their representatives were the participants. A checklist of questions was used for this activity making sure that questions about DRR, CCA, gender and women empowerment and health are not left out. Efforts were made to visit some sites where projects on DRR are being implemented

5.0 DEFINITION OF TERMS IN THE DOCUMENT

5.1 Risk vs hazard

The distinction between Risk (R) and Hazard (H), as applied in the UN/ISDR definition of risk

CVHR ×=

where H= hazard, V = Vulnerability and C = Coping Capacity) is used in this study. In assessing the relative magnitudes of risk to Malawian society posed by different types of hazards and prioritizing between them, the distinction is important, as a hazard only becomes a disaster if it impacts negatively on society or on the environment that sustains lives and livelihoods. Hazards are in most cases natural and are not under human control for example, droughts, floods, disease outbreaks, earthquakes and landslides. On the other side vulnerability is used here as communities that are exposed to the hazards. These are communities that live in areas prone to hazards like low lying areas that are prone to floods, lee-ward areas that are prone to drought or areas lying in unstable geological areas e.g. areas where tectonic plates meet. The last variable capacity has much to do with people and resource endowments. For a hazard to be a risk, the capacity of the people has to be so low that is cannot cope with the hazard. This capacity could be in terms of ability to maintain better living conditions after the hazard or in terms of the environment ability to revert back to normal after hazards in other works resilience. This capacity can be built in human communities by building savings of resources that could be used to cope with the hazard. This could also be being aware and ability to predict the hazards hence relocate in time before that hazard.

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5.2 Disaster risk reduction

There are different definitions of the term in the technical literature but it is understood to mean the broad development and application of policies, strategies and practices to minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout society.1

5.3 Climate change adaptation

DRR is a systematic approach to identifying, assessing and reducing the risks of disaster. It aims to reduce socio-economic vulnerabilities to disaster as well as dealing with the environmental and other hazards that trigger them. It is the responsibility of development and relief agencies alike and it should be an integral part of the way such organizations do their work, not an add-on or one-off action.

Rising temperatures, increased frequency and severity of extreme climatic events, quantity and timing of rainfall – projected over the course of this century – could have strongly negative impacts on crop and livestock production. These impacts will further compound already substantial challenges facing agriculture, including increasing population pressure on the resource base, land degradation, loss of agricultural biodiversity, and damage from pests and diseases. Given Malawi’s extremely low economic capacity to cope with climate change, there is a pressing need to plan and implement urgent interventions immediately, so future adverse effects of climate change will be minimized.

A key question remains that of whether Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) address the same problems. To many, these terms address the same problems but only have different historical perspectives as depicted in the Table below.

Table 1: Climate change adaptation and DRR – different histories Climate Change Adaptation Disaster Risk Reduction

Climate-related hazards All hazards

Origin in scientific theory Origin in humanitarian assistance

Future perspective Historical perspective

Traditional focus on physical exposure Traditional focus on vulnerability reduction

Theoretical application at local level Practical application at local level

Source: Dr Katharine Vincent: Disaster Risk Reduction in Africa: Waters, Winds and Fires. A UNDP-ECHO Knowledge Sharing Event on Disaster Risk Reduction Johannesburg, 25-26th March 2010

1 The term ‘disaster reduction’ is often used to mean much the same thing. ‘Disaster risk management’ is also sometimes used in this way although it is normally applied specifically to practical implementation of DRR initiatives.

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6.0 VULNERABLE AREAS TO NATURAL DISASTERS IN MALAWI

Malawi is particularly exposed and vulnerable to drought and floods, and the associated hazards of epidemics and landslides. From 1979 to 2008, natural disasters affected nearly 21.7 million people and killed about 2,596 people. Malawi’s vulnerability is linked to specific geo-climatic factors: (i) the influence of the El Niño and La Niña phenomena on the country’s climate, and the positions of tropical cyclones developing in the Mozambique Channel, resulting in highly erratic rainfall patterns; (ii) the existence of a hydrological network composed of 78 Water Resource Units (WRUs) contributed by three lakes (Malawi, Chilwa, Chiuta) and three rivers (Shire, Ruo, Songwe), shared with the neighbouring countries of Mozambique and Tanzania; and (iii) the location of the country along a tectonically active boundary between two major African plates within the great East African Rift System, causing earthquakes and landslides.

This physical vulnerability is accentuated by socio-economic and environmental factors. The country is highly dependent on rain-fed agriculture, principally for maize cultivation, which represents 52% of the total agricultural crop area, 36% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 85% of employment.2 Reliance on maize, which is vulnerable to drought, along with limited livelihood strategies, has resulted in a high rate of food insecurity. Furthermore, Malawi faces low levels of economic and social development, with a GDP of US$2 billion and a per capita income of US$160 in 2007,3

6.1 Climate change related disasters (floods and droughts)

and was ranked 164 out of 177 countries by the UNDP Human Development Index in 2007. Finally, the country suffers from environmental degradation due to a combination of agricultural expansion into marginal lands and rapid deforestation.

Malawi has experienced a number of adverse climatic hazards over the last several decades. The most serious have been dry spells, seasonal droughts, intense rainfall, riverine floods and flush floods. Some of these, especially droughts and floods, have increased in frequency, intensity and magnitude over the last two decades, and have adversely impacted on food and water security, water quality, energy and the sustainable livelihoods of rural communities (GOM). In response to the hazards, Malawi has developed its National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA) by evaluating the impacts of adverse climatic conditions in eight important sectors of economic growth, and ranked the identified activities using multi-criteria analysis to arrive at a list of fifteen urgent and immediate priority needs for adaptation. The sectors that were analyzed are agriculture, water, human health, energy, fisheries, wildlife, forestry and gender.

Based on this criterion six districts were identified to be the most vulnerable to climatic hazards and these are presented in the table below.

2 “Malawi: Economic Vulnerability and Disaster Risk Assessment: Drought and Flood Risk Atlas” – January 2010 – WB/GFDRR/RMSI 3 “Economic and Financial Decision Making in Disaster Risk Reduction: Phase I - Malawi Case study” – UNDP/Charlotte Benson and Ronald Mangani - February 2008 – Draft

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Table 2: Vulnerable district and their common disasters according to NAPA, 2006.

District Type of Disaster

Karonga Floods and Drought

Salima Floods and Drought

Dedza Forest fires

Zomba Drought and Dry spells

Chikwawa Floods and Drought

Nsanje Floods, Drought and dry spells

Within each district, traditional authorities where said vulnerabilities were most apparent were also identified in 2005. Recently, Malawi Government also commissioned a feasibility study through Environmental Affairs Department which has lead into the development of the Climate Adaptation for Rural Livelihoods and Agriculture Project (CARLA) 2009. This study was carried out by Marbek Resources Ltd from Canada in partnership with Bunda College and the main objective was to validate the NAPA findings with respect to vulnerability of the areas identified therein. The Map below shows the districts and their respective TAs which are most vulnerable to climatic hazards in Malawi

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Table 3: Summaries of the most vulnerable districts to climate Change and DRR as per findings of the NAPA

DRR Act of 1991 is the key guidance to address disasters in Malawi. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs has been created through the Act for the coordination of disaster risk management programmes and activities in the country. The summary of disasters (per UN/ISDR Hazard category) that have occurred in Malawi since 1946 and analysis of pattern and trends and their impact on the population of Malawi is based on available information in the National Disaster Profile compiled by the DoDMA. This data base presents the most vulnerable district since 1946. The graph below presents the frequency of total disasters recored per district. This is in line with the NAPA list of vulnerable ditrict. Figure 3 breaks down the disasters into floods, droughts and health. It can bee seen that the the district of Karonga, Nsanje, Chikwawa, Zomba,and Machinga have experienced more floods while drought have occure more in Karonga Chikhwawa and Nsanje.

Districts Traditional Authority Upland Areas that Impact Negatively on Lowland Areas

Karonga Mwakaoko, Kyungu, Kilipula Mwilang’ombe

Chitipa and Rumphi (i.e. Nyika Highlands)

Salima Mwanza, Ndindi , Khombedza Pemba, Msosa, Maganga Kambalame, Kambwiri

Dowa, Lilongwe, Nkotakota

Dedza Kachindamoto

Dedza mountatins

Zomba Mwambo, Malemia

Lake Chilwa area

Chikwawa Chapananga, Makhuwila Ngabu & Ngowe, Lundu Makhuwila, Katunga

Thyolo, Mwanza

Nsanje Mlolo, Mbenje, Ngabu Tengani, Nyachikadza

Thyolo, Mulanje and Blantyre

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Figure 2:Source of data: DoDMA,

6.2 Health and diseases

The human health sector is directly affected by climate change, and is especially linked to infant malnutrition and chronic ailments associated with malaria, cholera and diarrhoea as a result of droughts and floods. For example, malaria is expected to increase and spread to previous cool zones as temperatures increase due to global warming and in flooded areas where stagnant water provide perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. While diarrhoea and cholera break outs are common when floods pollute drinking water in areas when there is poor sanitation. Therefore, the above vulnerable areas are also linked to the disease outbreaks. Health outbreaks recorded by DoDMA show that Ntcheu and Mzimba district to be most vulnerable. The floods prone district of Chikhwawa, Zomba and Karonga also have had disease outbreaks e.g. cholera.

Figure 3:Source of data: DoDMA

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7.0 OVERVIEW OF DRR AND CCA POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES IN MALAWI

The principle goal in the development strategy of the Government of Malawi (GoM), is poverty reduction, which is set to be achieved through economic growth and infrastructure development. But increasing impact of disasters on life, livelihood and economic and environmental assets continue to pose serious threat to nation’s ability to come out of poverty. The Disaster Preparedness and Relief (DPR) Act adopted in 1991 and Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) continue to provide strategic direction to disaster risk management for the country. Currently Malawi does not have a DRM policy, though development of such a policy is planned for 2010-2011. An initial diagnostic “Situation Analysis of Disaster Risk Management Programmes and Practices in Malawi” was completed in 2008, with support from the World Bank/GFDRR. This document identifies stengths, weaknesses, and needs, and suggests the main potential actions to be included in a national DRM Policy.

7.1 National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework, 2010-2015

Government of Malawi through DoDMA developed a framework for Disaster Risk Reduction with the purpose of pursuing a proactive and integrated way to reduce risk to hazards through sustainable, innovative and realistic strategies with stronger partnership of all stakeholders. Further, the framework prioritizes a set of challenges that should be addressed in the next five years; provides strategic directions to reduce vulnerabilities and risk to hazard. This framework aligns GoM DRR priorities with other national policies as well as international commitments like the Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA)

The Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA) (UN/ISDR 2005) is the overarching international frame of reference for situation analysis and input to policy and strategy on Disaster Management (DM) and Risk Reduction (DRR). It is largely accepted that the implementation of the HFA will support progress towards realising the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and that adaptation to Climate Change is a hazard-specific disaster risk reduction activity, most elements of which can be considered using the HFA.

There are a number of GoM ministries that are involved in DRM in Malawi today. Six of these are worth mentioning here: (Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MoA&FS); the Ministry of Health and Population (MoH&P); the Ministry of Development Planning and Cooperation (MDPC); the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT); the Ministry of Water and Irrigation Development (MoWID) and the Ministry of Lands are more specifically involved in DRR activities focusing on food security, development, health and education. Certain Ministries whose strategies and policies and, in some instances activities, address different DRR aspects of the environment (resource management e.g. Forestry, Fishery, Mining/Land; Environment). Yet other ministries are more specifically involved in DM activities and actively participate on the NDPRC and during Relief, Recovery & Rehabilitation operations following a disaster.

The Ministry of Development Planning and Cooperation is primarily a service Ministry and is among other things responsible for developing the Social Protection Policy (2008) that

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supplements the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy. This ministry is also responsible for monitoring Poverty Reduction programmes and projects, an important element of Food Security. Since much of the current DRM activity is at community level, the support of the MoLG&RD/District Assemblies is important. Planned decentralization of resources (skills & financial) to the districts and the relevant committees is evident in the responsibility assigned in the DoDMA structures (Figure 1). The MoEVT is a necessary player in any preparedness initiatives and schools being central to many communities and being used as a gathering point for community activities and adult education, as are religious centers such as churches.

Figure 4: Line of communication with respect to all DRM structures from village to cabinet level and the President. Source: Phiri et al 2008. Malawi DRR situation Analysis

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7.2 The National Disaster Preparedness and Relief Committee (NDPRC).

The NDPRC is attached to the Office of the President and Cabinet and is the highest-level decision-making body for directing and coordinating DRM in Malawi. It is chaired by the Chief Secretary, and comprises Principal Secretaries of line ministries and is responsible for providing recommendations on disaster declarations; formulating and updating the national disaster risk management policy and mobilizing resources for its implementation; submitting reports to the President on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and post-disaster activities; and managing recovery initiatives.4

7.3 The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA)

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs coordinates and supports the planning and execution of DRM activities throughout the country. It is the secretariat for the NDPRC. Although DoDMA was initially formed to focus on disaster response and preparedness, its mandate now covers the entire DRM cycle, including DRR. DoDMA is responsible for ensuring that all stakeholders adhere to DRR principles; coordinating resource mobilization for DRR programmes; overseeing early recovery needs assessment and recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities; and coordinating action at and between national and district levels. Consultation with the Deputy Director of DoDMA revealed that through District Assemblies, Government is able to coordinate disaster responses and projects being implemented by Non Governmental Organisations and Faith based organisations. DoDMA makes use of the District Commissioners in all the district at the moment as there are no personnel specifically for disaster response and preparedness.

Among the main challenging issues mentioned was capacity of the DoDMA in terms of both staffing and knowledge in disaster risk related issues. None of the top management in DoDMA has any formal training in the area and to make things worse they are very few in the department. That coupled with lack of desk officers in districts constrains DODMA operations as they have to rely of DCs who are also busy with their own work schedules.

Another challenge faced with the Department of Disaster Assessments is that it lacks information from implementing partners especially NGOs and faith based organisations mostly because, DoDMA does not have the capacity at the moment to monitor their activities. Funding for monitoring project activities has always been a problem as most NGOs do not factor in resources for DoDMA use.

7.4 Malawi Disaster Risk Management Policy

Malawi does not have a DRM Policy. Development of such a policy is in progress and expected to be completed end this year, 2011. Pending the development of this DRM Policy, a National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework (DRRF) for 2010-2015 and an Operational Guideline (OG) for DRM were designed in 2009 provides common strategic direction to

4 “Draft Operational Guidelines for Disaster Risk Management” – August 2009 – DoDMA/UNDP – Draft.

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government and non-government stakeholders. Nevertheless, there is a strong need for policy directions.

The DRRF states six strategic goals

STRATEGIC GOAL 1:

To achieve this goal, following are the key results prioritized:

DRR is mainstreamed into policy, strategy, programme and annual planning and their implementation at all levels.

i. All national policies and sectoral strategies included DRR as core element in achieving their objectives.

ii. All line Ministries and prioritised District Assemblies include DRR into their annual plans; and have capacity and resources to implement them.

iii. National project formulation, appraisal, approval process adopt DRR. iv. Structure and capacity of DoDMA is revised and strengthened to promote DRR at all

levels, in all sectors and for all stakeholders.

STRATEGIC GOAL 2:

To achieve this goal, following is the key result prioritized:

An effective system in place to identify, monitor and assess risk (national and cross-boundary)

v. An effective consolidate national risk assessment (i.e. atlas) done to support local and national planning process.

STRATEGIC GOAL 3:

To achieve this goal, following is the key result prioritized:

An effective and national early warning system is strengthened.

vi. National flood and drought EW system is strengthened, focuses on increased lead time, effective and timely dissemination supported by institutional and community level preparedness.

STRATEGIC GOAL 4:

To achieve this goal, following are the key results prioritized:

Underlying risk factors of community and household are systematically identified and addressed.

vii. Effective DRR options are identified, coordinated and scaled-up in most vulnerable districts

viii. All vulnerable communities (HHs) have their DRR plans, and a financing mechanism is tested and established to support the implementation.

ix. All CPCs are re-oriented on DRR and CCA and selected communities have DRR plans ready.

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STRATEGIC GOAL 5:

To achieve this goal, following are the key results prioritized:

Disaster preparedness capacity strengthened for effective response at all levels.

x. Draft operational plan adopted DRR and rolled out to all stakeholders. xi. Improved timeliness and effectiveness in response by decentralised DoDMA at district

level. xii. Multi-hazard district and national contingency plan developed.

xiii. Disaster preparedness capacity enhanced at all levels and all sectors. xiv. Institutional mechanism in place to utilise available logistical capability. xv. Improved information flow for better coordination of assessment and avoidance of

duplication in effort.

STRATEGIC GOAL 6:

To achieve this goal, following are the key results prioritized:

Knowledge, education and innovation are used to promote culture of safety and exploration of resilient technologies.

xvi. National education curriculum (primary and secondary) adopt DRR. xvii. Research and piloting done to identify disaster resilience technology.

xviii. National training institutes (i.e. staff development collage) have staff development capacity on DRR; education course developed and offered at universities.

xix. DRR coordination mechanism established at DoDMA for better synergy and quality assurance.

xx. A knowledge management function established within DoDMA.

The Operational Guidelines provides a clear description of the DRM institutional structure and outlines DRM stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities. These guidelines were conceived to meet immediate operational needs and present the Government of Malawi’s current expectations of national agencies’ roles and responsibilites as a basis for discussion. When the DRM Policy is completed and operationalised, the interim Operation Guidelines will be revised and modified accordingly.

7.5 The Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act of 1991 (DPR Act 1991)

This is the main legal reference document related to DRM implementation in Malawi, though it is considered outdated. The DPR Act, which focuses on disaster preparedness and response, covers the composition and functions of the Commissionner’s Office for Disaster Preparedness of the NDPRC and the National Disaster Preparedness and Relief Fund. However, the consultations revealed that this document was prepared to repond to disasters after they have happened and not prepare or mitigate them. The current focus of Malawi Government is on preparedness and mitigation of disaster and adaptation which renders the Act irrelevant. There a need therefore that once the policy is in place, the Act should also reviewed and ammended to reflect the new vision.

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7.6 Malawi’s National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) The main guiding document that Malawi Government has developed on Climate Change is the National Adaptation Programme of Action ( NAPA). This was developed in 2006 under the leadership of the Ministry of Mines, Natural Resources and Environment, and launched by the State President in 2008. The NAPA identified five priority activities to address Malawi’s urgent adaptation needs to climate change and extreme weather events for vulnerable communities. However, none of these activities have been implemented to date. Climate change adaptation interventions are implemented by various stakeholders. A National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) chaired by the Department of Climate Change and Meteorology, with its Secretariat in the Environmental Affairs Department, reviews policies and programs on climate change.

The five priority activities of the Malawi’s National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA)

(i) Improving community resilience to climate change through the development of sustainable rural livelihoods.

(ii) Restoring forests in the Upper, Middle and Lower Shire Valleys catchments to reduce siltation and the associated water flow problems.

(iii) Improving agricultural production under erratic rains and changing climatic conditions.

(iv) Improving Malawi’s preparedness to cope with droughts and floods. (v) Improving climate monitoring to enhance Malawi’s early warning capability and

decision making and sustainable utilization of Lake Malawi and lakeshore areas resources

7.7 Current programmes in Malawi on DRR and CCA

Several interventions aimed at reducing natural disaster risk are currently being implemented in Malawi in natural resource management and protection of the environment, forests, water resources, soil and land, energy; land use planning; agriculture; education; health; food security; livelihoods; and social protection. National-level interventions are guided by governmental sectoral policies and strategies, mainly: the Food and Nutrition Security Policy, National Environment Policy, Agriculture Sector Policy and Strategy, Irrigation Policy and Development Strategy, National Water Policy, National Forestry Policy, Energy Policy, National Land Use Planning and Management Policy, and Social Protection Policy.

Although disaster risk reduction is a stated priority for Malawi, comprehensive implementation of major initiatives remains limited. The main weaknesses are due to the lack of a systematic and comprehensive diagnosis of underlying risk factors, especially at the local level; the lack of systematic identification and evaluation of appropriate mitigation options (structural and nonstructural) at macro and micro levels; the lack of a DRR strategy and clear guidance; the weakness of technical leadership for DRR, and finally the lack of resources to support implementation.

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7.7.1 The Climate Adaptation for Rural Livelihoods and Agriculture Project The Climate Adaptation for Rural Livelihoods and Agriculture (CARLA) project was conceived based on the recommendations from Malawi’s NAPA (GOM 2006). CARLA is first project developed from the NAPA and intended to address two urgent priority actions: (i) improving community resilience to climate change through development of sustainable rural livelihoods, and (ii) improving agricultural productivity under changing climatic conditions marked by erratic rains and frequent drought. The development of the CARLA project has been undertaken by the Government of Malawi with funding from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the African Development Bank. However, implementation has not yet started. The Department of Environmental Affairs is likely to be the implementing government agency for CARLA. There are other stakeholders, mostly non-governmental organisation implementing CMDRR projects in different areas of Malawi. This will be discussed in another chapter.

7.8 CROSS CUTTING ISSUES

7.8.1 Gender The NAPA recognises and incorporates gender issues. It notes that women bear most of the burden in activities that are most impacted by adverse climate, including collection of water, firewood and ensuring daily access to food. Several studies have concluded with NAPA and show that women comprise 70% of the agricultural labour force, but they are less likely to engage in cash crop production due to labour and time constraints. The value of assets owned by male-headed households is more than double that of female-headed households and male-headed households are more likely to own agricultural assets and hence women face more difficulties in accessing credit, as they do not possess assets for collateral. Women are rarely represented on the council of elders, and so are unable to influence decisions over access to land, inheritance rights and so on. Several interventions are proposed that target women in highly vulnerable situations, including: (i) empowerment of women through access to microfinance to diversify earning potential, (ii) ensuring easier access to water and energy sources by drilling boreholes and planting trees in woodlots, and (iii) use of electricity provided through the rural electrification programme.

7.8.2 Health/ HIV/AIDS The Ministry of Health (MoH) is the lead ministry responsible for overall preparedness and emergency response of the basic Health operation including sexual reproductive health. The Department of HIV/AIDS and Nutrition under the Office of the President and Cabinet is responsible in leading the overall preparedness and emergency response for the Nutrition operation. Health issues are addressed in the NAPA. The changing demographics as a result of the impacts of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, are leading to women taking up greater responsibilities as sole heads of households and taking care of the sick and orphans. The human health sector is directly affected by climate change, and is especially linked to infant malnutrition and chronic ailments associated with malaria, cholera and diarrhoea as a result of droughts and floods. For example, malaria is expected to increase and spread to previous cool zones as temperatures

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increase due to global warming. The proposed interventions include: (i) improved nutrition for infants and other vulnerable groups, (ii) prevention of diseases, such as malaria through increased distribution of insect treated bed-nets (ITNs), and diarrhoea, (iii) water treatment, (iv) crop diversification and food supplementations for the under-fives. However, there is lack of networking between the health sector and other sectors like water, agriculture or works. This brings in inefficiencies in disaster risk reduction as each sector works independent of the other. The box below present a classic case of Cholera outbreak in Nsanje and Mulanje in 2007 and effect of poor collaboration. Box 1: Example of lack of network between health and other sectors. Cholera Management. A cholera outbreak that originated in Nsanje and Mulanje on 7 and 10 November 2007 respectively was reported on by the Epidemiology Unit for the Ministry of Health. The Epidemiology Unit would receive data from the districts every week by email or phone. This was routinely verified depending on the standard in which it was received. The data was entered into the national database, then automated national and district reports were produced on excel. Cholera control activities carried out in districts included health education activities such as health talks, drama and role playing; water chlorination at household level; supportive supervision; case isolation, management and follow-ups. Weekly cholera monitoring and evaluation reports were sent to all stakeholders. Districts with functioning e-mail (thanks to WHO funding) received these regularly, while receipt of hard copies by other districts was irregular. Cumulatively 887 cholera cases and 13 deaths were reported for 5 November 2007 to 2 March 2008, with a case fatality rate of 1.5%. Despite these capacities the incidence of cholera has risen in the past couple of years. To fully understand the reasons it would be necessary to understand the different factors that contribute to the Risk of Cholera outbreak. It would be necessary to map the increases in cholera incidence at a community scale and correlate with water & sanitation infrastructure, water quality monitoring of surface and groundwater and evaluate the distribution of water points as well as the construction thereof. There is no documentation of liaison between the Department of Water and Irrigation (DoWI) and the MoHP/NHA. It is possible that there is inadequate supervision of the design and construction of boreholes (depth, Sanitary seals, casing etc) training of the local community in borehole maintenance and monitoring and appropriate measures to limit contamination of water points used for drinking, cooking and personal washing. It is unknown, but possible, that positioning pit latrines and or VIPs is not undertaken in consultation with the DoWI in order to limit any threat of diffuse and or point source pollution and that communities are not trained with regards to waster disposal especially along the lake shore districts and in valley areas. Similarly coordination with the DoHP would support longer-term education initiatives around hygiene and sanitation including the full process cycle of Cholera along with training in the preventative measures such as washing of hands, boiling of water and use of chlorine. This integration of natural and social process supports ownership of the environment, risk reduction and proactive disaster response. Source: Situation Analysis of Disaster Risk Management Programmes and Practices The National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework, 2010-2015 acknowledges that timely achievement of the mission would require broadening the constituency of stakeholder beyond the conventional DRR actors and engage actors working on sector, population groups such as women, children, PWDs and people with HIV/AIDS, as well as actors working at community level and national and international policy and advocacy. At the local level, engagement of community based organizations and traditional leaders are important.

8.0 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME AND POLICY REVIEW

8.1 Overview of DRR policies and organisations

There have been growing calls for greater clarity about the components of DRR, and about indicators of progress towards resilience – a challenge which the international community took up at the UN’s World Conference on Disaster Reduction(WCDR) in Kobe, Japan, in 2005, only days after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The WCDR began the process of pushing international agencies and national governments beyond the vague rhetoric of most policy statements and towards setting clear targets and commitments for DRR. The first step

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in this process was the formal approval at the WCDR of the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005–2015) (HFA). This is the first internationally accepted framework for DRR. It sets out an ordered sequence of objectives (outcome – strategic goals – priorities), with five priorities for action attempting to ‘capture’ the main areas of DRR intervention. The UN's biennial Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction provides an opportunity for the UN and its member states to review progress against the Hyogo Framework. It held its first session from 5–7 June 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland.

It is unrealistic to expect progress in every aspect of DRR: capacities and resources are insufficient. Governments and other organizations have to make what are in effect ‘investment decisions’, choosing which aspects of DRR to invest in, when, and in what sequence.

In Malawi, The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2008-2011 aims to help the country achieve the MDGs. DRM is covered under the second UNDAF outcome, “care and protection for the ultra poor and reduction in the impact of economic shocks and disasters on the most vulnerable”, and the related Country Program Outcome 2,“the Government will have disaster risk reduction and emergency management systems and practices for efficient response at national and sub- national levels by 2011”. Disaster risk reduction is also considered a cross cutting issue, mainstreamed in each UNDAF outcome.

8.2 Overview of CCA policies and organisations

Adaptation to global warming and climate change consists of initiatives and measures to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human systems against actual or expected climate change effects. The capacity and potential for human systems to adapt (called adaptive capacity) is unevenly distributed across different regions and populations (Schneider et al., 2007). Adaptive capacity is closely linked to social and economic development (IPCC, 2007). The economic costs of adaptation are potentially large, but also largely unknown (Schneider et al., 2007). Across the literature, there is wide agreement that adaptation will be more difficult for larger magnitudes and higher rates of climate change.

Adaptation can be defined as adjustments of a system to reduce vulnerability and to increase the resilience of system to change, in this case in the climate system. Adaptation occurs at a range of inter-linking scales, and can either occur in anticipation of change (anticipatory adaptation), or be a response to those changes (reactive adaptation). Most adaptation being implemented at present is responding to current climate trends and variability.

8.3 International organisation programmes

8.3.1 UNDP- Enhancing National and Local Capacity in Disaster Risk Reduction in Malawi The project strategy aims to build the capacity of national and district level authorities to improve disaster risk management, with the objective of both reducing future hazard impacts and ensuring effective humanitarian response. During the period 2007-2011, UNDP has been supporting the elaboration of a national disaster risk management strategy, including the development of an engendered disaster risk reduction policy, emergency and preparedness plans and institutional frameworks at both national and district levels. Integral to this strategy will be the appropriate reflection of disaster risk reduction in other government policies, programmes and training. The strategy will also include the development of gender

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disaggregated information management systems which reflect both the impact of past disaster events and the risks associated with climate change.

In order to achieve these outputs, UNDP has been providing both direct support and build the capacity of national and district level authorities to improve emergency management and response systems, especially their coordination mechanisms. This includes the effective mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction in planning, policies and programmes. UNDP has also been working with WFP and other UN partners to ensure that existing structures and systems comply with the minimum standards stipulated in the UN’s Humanitarian Charter.

Capacity is being conducted based on an assessment of the existing institutional and policy environment. At the national level this is primarily achieved through the strengthening of the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA). In collaboration with DoDMA, UNDP is working closely with a range of Government, non Government and civil society partners to ensure the effective development of emergency management, preparedness, mitigation and response systems including the strengthening of existing contingency plans. UNDP is also supporting the development of the DRR Policy for Malawi.

9.0 CURRENT PROGRAMMES IN MALAWI ON DRR AND CCA

The main donors for all the projects in Malawi are the EU who have supported DRR activities of DIPECHO partners through DG ECHO between October 2008 and December 2009. The partners are in the process of preparing proposals for the second phase of DIPECHO. On the other hand, DFID’s main support so far has been support to the DRR NGO consortium with EAM, Tearfund, Action and Christian Aid as the main NGOs who benefited from this support. Thirdly, Irish Aid is the main donor for activities of Concern Universal in Dedza and Ntcheu including the Local Development Support Programme. It has also supported DRR mainstreaming work by GOAL, Action Aid and Evangelical Association of Malawi in Chikwawa and Nsanje. It was pointed out during consultations that the project would be evaluated soon since it had just come to an end. Key lessons for DRR programming would therefore be drawn from there. Irish Aid has also just finalized a Strategic Plan for the next five years which has a pillar on DRR. The review results reveal that there is a very high degree of heterogeneity with regards to the scope of the projects, the target population, the geographical coverage as well as the unit costs of the interventions. This means that cost estimation across the beneficiary organizations varies. The key question therefore is how are budgets for the various interventions derived? Uniform cost estimates for similar interventions may be necessary.

A number of non-governmental organizations operate in Malawi, funded by a variety of sources; including the donor organizations. Not all NGOs operate throughout Malawi. The larger internationally based NGOs such as World Vision International and Action Aid and FBOs have relatively larger impact areas of project implementation. Some of these also partner with smaller NGOs and CBOs in implementing their projects. There is a Council for Non-Governmental Organizations of Malawi (CONGOMA) that coordinates activities of NGOs in the country. It currently has a total membership of 296 NGOs. It aims at creating networks and collaboration among NGOs working on the same themes, to build capacity of member NGOs and conduct advocacy to lobby on behalf of NGOs on various challenges that

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they face. CONGOMA was established in 1992, replacing the Council for Social Welfare Services in Malawi (CSWSM) which has been in place since 1985. A preliminary list of NGO is shown in Table (Annexure A) summarizing their area of involvement in DRR and CCA. CONGOMA as a council does not actively participate in DRR and CCA activities. Their main activity has been coordinating activities of NGOs. Currently it has instituted as a policy that all NGOs work hand in hand with District assemblies and fit in the district plans as much as possible. No NGO is allowed to operate in a district without informing or rather conforming to the district plans. This is aimed at reducing duplication of activities and increasing efficiency of delivery of services and programmes which are also in line with district development plans.

9.1 Advocacy and awareness creation

Public awareness-raising interventions for disaster risk reduction and management are regularly carried out at the local level. DoDMA undertakes regular public awareness meetings with communities in flood-prone areas every year to sensitize them on the need to be prepared for the rainy season. In some instances, communities have agreed to relocate before rains and even vacate permanently to upland from low-lying flood prone areas, substantially reducing the number of households affected by floods. Many NGOs undertake public awareness raising actions as part of their DRM community-focused projects. The local NGO, CADECOM has initiated a programme to train community members in Participatory Appraisal and Risk Assessment by sending selected members to the University of Cape Town to become trainers themselves within their own community, thereby initiating a peer-to-peer learning process.5

DRR and climate change adaptation (CCA) education has been introduced at the primary and secondary school levels. Some aspects of DRM, such as agricultural environmental issues, are taught within public schools, to help students understand environmental factors influencing agriculture production, with an emphasis on soil and water conservation sustainability. A number of NGOs have initiated education in schools that have a community outreach element, such as Action Aid, which advocated for the institutionalization of DRM initiatives in Nsanje district. In Salima, Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi ( WESM) in mainstreaming environmental and climate change issues in primary schools

The teaching of DRM and CCA concepts is integrated in university curricula through course modules. The two main institutions of higher learning in Malawi, the University of Malawi and the University of Mzuzu, currently provide courses related to environmental and climate change issues, which are also linked to hydro-meteorological hazard risk issues. Research has been undertaken in the field of DRM and CCA but is limited in scope and application. Often carried out by university research institutions in collaboration with governmental and NGO counterparts, such research relates mainly to hydro-meteorological hazards, the environment, and climate change. For example, the University of Malawi carries out a research programme on “Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Sectoral and National Development Plans and Strategies in Malawi,” at Bunda College of

5 “Malawi : Situation Analysis of Disaster Risk Management Programmes and Practice” - Final report - November 2008 – WB/GFDRR Track II/ E. Rowena Hay and M. Alexander

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Agriculture, by the Centre for Agricultural Research and Development (CARD), in conjunction with Christian Aid-Malawi. The National Research Council of Malawi (NRCM) is the umbrella organization responsible for coordinating and overseeing all types of research in the country.

A number of organisation are involved in advocacy to influence and contribute to policy development both at community and national level, the continued establishment of strategic alliances and networking with other stakeholders in DRR and climate change and adaptation. This is done at three levels: Community level to ensure that communities share best practices; government level so that a DRR policy is developed as soon as possible and at donor level so that they release funds for addressing the underlying causes of disasters and do not focus on relief alone.

The Centre for Environmental Policy Analysis (CEPA) one the local NGOs involved with environmental issues is addressing policy in the area of Sustainable Environment Resource Management and interestingly also undertakes commissioned research. Currently they are working in Kasungu in collaboration with MALEZA in a wetland utilisation project (Simlemba wetland catchment project) where they are responsible for using lesions learn in the project to propose Government policy guideline in wetland utilisation. They have spearheaded the formation of civil protection committee ( CPCs) in Malawi.

9.2 DRR and CCA projects

9.2.1 Capacity Building for Soil and Land Management in Shire River Basin This is a GEF funded project and is implemented by the Ministry of Lands to address catchment degradation and rehabilitation issues in the Lower Shire Valley and land degradation in the Shire River Basin through Payment for Ecosystems Services (PES) arrangements;

9.2.2 The Presidential Green Belt Initiative This was launched in 2008 by the Government of Malawi to reduce vulnerability to drought and boost production by irrigating a million hectares of land and by investing in crop diversification. The project is still in its planning stage and will soon be implemented with funds from multilateral donors.

9.2.3 The Malawi National Drought Insurance The World Bank has contributed to DRM efforts in the country within the framework of the fourth Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for 2007-2010. The CAS supports the MGDs by focusing on the achievement of four outcomes. The programs implemented to achieve the first CAS outcome “improve smallholder agricultural productivity and integration into agro-processing”, focus specifically on helping Malawi to improve total food output and productivity, and strengthen risk management systems mainly related to floods and drought. The World Bank provides technical assistance and carries out analytical work to help improve agricultural productivity and build resilient communities, mainly by supporting Government efforts to offset the risks of maize price variability with the use of various hedging instruments, test markets for national weather insurance, and strengthening trade

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efficiency through the establishment of a warehouse receipt system. Micro-level weather insurance has also facilitated the successful pilot of weather insurance. This has been developed to help the Government manage the financial impact of drought-related national maize production shortfalls. The first for a sovereign entity in Africa, this tool is an index-based weather derivative contract designed to transfer the financial risk of severe and catastrophic national drought that adversely impacts the Government’s budget to the international risk markets. The pilot was initiated in 2008 and several piloting seasons will be necessary to understand the scope and limitations of a weather derivative contract, and its role within the Government’s evolving strategy, contingency planning and operational drought response framework.

The “Drought Insurance for Subsistence Farmers” pilot project gave 892 subsistence farmers the opportunity to purchase insurance covering drought risks for their valuable groundnut crop. This is the first initiative selling index-based weather (micro) insurance to smallholder farmers in Africa. The project also helps farmers to obtain certified and higher-yielding seeds with greater disease resistance. If a drought leads to insufficient groundnut production, the bank pays the loans of insured farmers directly. If there is no drought, the farmers benefit from selling the higher-value production. However, the analysis of this experience demonstrated that complementary investment in financial and non-financial services, including microfinance products and effective marketing channels and supply chains, are necessary to sustain this model of micro level index-based weather insurance.

9.2.4 District assemblies planning Flood prone districts (Nsanje, Chikwawa, Mangochi, Salima, Karonga have prepared Flood Contingency Plans between 2002 and 2004. A sub regional flood management plan addressing issues of cross border catchments is in place (UNP, 2008). Similarly Disaster Risk Management Plans have been developed for Dedza, Ntcheu and Balaka and were supported in this by Concern Universal, an international NGO. This is a first step in developing a Hazard specific preparedness and Readiness mindset. The quality of these plans is not standardized. The plan for Chikwawa is a good example of a contingency plan as roles and responsibilities are well defined and assigned to specific posts. Such plans need to be expanded to include other hazards and to cater for slow onset disasters and initiate intervention prior to critical levels of vulnerability being evident. The plans can include Preparedness & Response component at village level. Livelihoods which include: Small-scale irrigation; water harvesting activities; introduction of drought- tolerant crops; crop diversification;

9.2.5 Livelihood and environmental conservation A list of projects is being implemented by a number of NGOs in Malawi in response to DRR and CCA. The common areas where NGOs are working are the lake shore districts (Karonga, Nkhota-kota, Salima and Mangochi), Lake Chilwa basin (Machinga and Zomba) Upper shire (Balaka, Thyolo and Mwanza), Lower shire (Chikhwawa and Nsanje). These include dredging rivers, realigning rivers into their original courses, and building of dykes, building canals; use of energy-saving stoves and finally promotion of conservation farming, forestation both fruit and forest and planting vetivar grass, livestock (Assistance in recovery from disasters through the introduction of small stock managed on a pass-on arrangement). (Annex 1 presents the full list of organisations and their activities and location.

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9.2.6 Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CSNCC)

In order to coordinate the work on climate change, local and international NGOs have formed a network whose objectives is to coordinate climate change activities and also share information on who is doing what and where. This network is being currently funded by the World Bank and CEPA is coordinating this network while CARD is the current chair. The network has several members mostly NGOs working in climate change in the country. This has served as a platform for discussion and policy lobbying at national and international level. Membership into this network is voluntary. This was done deliberately to ensure commitment by members. Meetings are done regular to share information and discuss issues for lobbying and advocacy.

9.3 Health and gender

Most programmes being implemented do not have a gender mainstreaming strategy. However, they do, albeit adhoc, implement some gender related activities. Interviews with partners also indicate that there are efforts (undocumented) to target women for various interventions. We noted that gender mainstreaming does not occur, if it is not aggressively and comprehensively structured in the programme. We have also noted that gender mainstreaming has not been a primary focus for the programme and as a result all the partners lack structured approach to integrating gender issues. Our view is that when disasters occur, the impacts between men, women, boys and girls are different. And because of the different roles that the society assigns and expects from women, men, boys and girls, disaster risk reduction activities are also different between these genders. These need to be integrated in the programme, but this cannot be done unless a gender analysis is done and a strategy is developed to inform mainstreaming.

Regarding the integration of HIV and AIDS, we noted similar weakness as those for gender. Most partners had included HIV and AIDS messages in their trainings and meetings with beneficiaries. HIV and AIDS mainstreaming has been limited to awareness on HIV prevention, which is not a strategic activity in Malawi considering that Malawi has already attained universal awareness on HIV and AIDS. We noted a very weak focus on behaviour change, which is the national priority. Hence further than awareness, only ERDP had done comprehensive HIV/AIDS activities in Chikhwawa. Even with that we noted that follow-up or post-test activities were weak and unclear. What happens after one tests positive? What care and support is given? These questions remained unstructured.

We have also noted that there is inadequate capacity amongst partners in the area of gender and HIV and AIDS analysis and mainstreaming, including linking current activities with both gender and HIV and AIDS. Partners were not able to link some of the activities with gender mainstreaming, even though such linkages existed. Capacity building in gender-sensitive planning and implementation seems an obvious way-forward for us.

10.0 RECOMMENDED POSSIBLE CORDAID SUPPORT

10.1 National programmes

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Currently DoDMA is responsible for development of the Policy and revision of the Act. The Policy and Act will lay out a clear structure and network of institutions with clearly responsibilities. This will clear out the current uncoordinated actions and programmes. These will also help in monitoring and evaluation of the activities in DRR and CCA and hence increase the efficiency of implementations.

There is a significantly complex policy landscape in Malawi that addresses long-term issues in DRR and CCA. Policies in Environmental management, irrigation, forest, water resources, agriculture and land resources conservation all address long term in DRR and CCA but yet there is no coordinated advocacy, education and action programme involving all relevant line ministries. It is important to coordinate and allocate external funds towards realizing a common medium to long term goal in DRR and CCA. The development of a National Platform will facilitate this if underpinned by a sound scientific and comprehensive Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment that includes socio-economic and environmental aspects in Vulnerability and Coping Capacity. DoDMA has been given the central role in coordinating DRR and CCA activities, but lacks the policy platform to base its actions. Therefore development of the Policy and subsequent Act in DRR and CCA is a very important step to ensure effective coordination by DoDMA. Doing this will facilitate identification of measurable indicators to be agreed upon and monitored by all parties as per routine line function duty a defined and agreed upon methodology and standard as how to measure and process the data.

Currently UNDP has taken up this task and lined up a number of activities that will help streamline DRR and CCA activities in the country. The role of other partners will be recognising these structures and enforcing them. DoDMA is currently in position to oversee all DRR and CCA activities in Malawi. Such position gives responsibility to DoDMA to monitor all activities that are being done in Malawi on DRR and CCA. Therefore, CORDAID will be required to link up with DoDMA and provide some resources that will enable DoDMA to monitor all activities that CORDAID will be supporting This will also enable DoDMA to advise CORDAID on necessary areas of intervention and any problems with local NGOs. This has been tried by DoDMA with other NGOs and has proven very effective.

Two institutional set up have been proposed ( Figure below). We recommend scenario B as it reduces transaction cost and improve efficiency of resource transfer and communication. DoDMA should be included as a monitoring institution in either of the set ups.

SCENARIO A SCENARIO B

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Figure 5:Proposed institutional framework

10.2 Advocacy , capacity building and knowledge creation of DRR and CCA

There is a need for advocacy at both national and local level. At national level policy advocacy is required in a number or areas e.g. use of local drought resistant crop varieties. The ministry of Agriculture has been advocating for use of high yielding improved seed varieties (mostly maize). However, most of these are not drought resistant and have failed greatly in cases of dry spells or drought. Advocating for drought resistance local varieties (which are lower yielding than the hybrid varieties) has been deemed as a retro verse policy. Therefore there is a need to advocate for policies that recognise local varieties and promote their use. CEPA and MALEZA have been has been advocating for such change of policy and have been making headway with the Government.

At Local level there is need for advocacy on diversified food sources. Currently in Malawi, maize is the staple food and yet prone to drought and floods. Use of other foods types e.g. cassava and potatoes could easy the hunger situation in disaster times. Therefore there is a need to advocate for such issues. Other issues at local level include environmental management (river bank conservation, soil and water conservation technologies).

Capacity building and knowledge creation of all hazards in priority risk areas is not yet systematically undertaken. DRR and CCA are not fully and systematically integrated in primary and secondary education curricula, even as components of other subjects. DRM and CCA are also not widely taught at the university level as specialized disciplines. Access to funding, and results dissemination and use, are the main weaknesses for research development in the fields of DRR and CCA. There is a need for a tri-partite linkage and that is CORDAID as development partners, Research institutions and NGOs as implementers. This will help to link activities in the ground with research and hence propose better ways of improving DRR and CCA activities. Currently CORDAID has been supporting NASFAM in Extension to farmer linkages. This could be scaled up by including DRR and CCA issues in the extension services which not only address production, but also marketing and savings. Close collaborative working arrangements with District Agricultural Office, Extension Planning Area and Section level in the ministry of agriculture and food security and other extension workers are key to effective delivery of project objectives, especially in cases where implementing

CORDAID

Partners

ECM/CADECOM

Partners DoDMA

CORDAID

DoDMA

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NGOs have limited implementation capacity. More over this will provide adequate resources to the agricultural extension service that has (in other areas) enough technical skill but lack resources to implement its activities.

Main needs to support knowledge and capacity building include:

I. The development and implementation of a systematic and comprehensive public awareness program e.g. radio programmes where NGOs and Research institutions would explain the DRR and CCA issues;

II. Support for the integration of DRM and CCA in national education curricula at primary and secondary levels (currently stated as a key priority by the Government); and

III. Support for the introduction of specific DRM and CCA training/courses at the university level, as planned by the Government.6

10.3 Livelihood improvements

Malawi recognizes the need to have current and future staff within government ministries and institutions who understand and master DRM and CCA theoretical and practical concepts and issues.

Although DRR is a stated priority for Malawi, comprehensive implementation of major initiatives remains limited. The main weaknesses are due to

(i) The lack of a systematic and comprehensive diagnosis of underlying risk factors, especially at the local level;

(ii) The lack of systematic identification and evaluation of appropriate mitigation options (structural and non-structural) at macro and micro levels;

(iii) The lack of a DRR strategy and clear guidance; (iv) The weakness of technical leadership for DRR, and finally (v) The lack of resources to support implementation.

The first two weaknesses can be addressed by linkage between NGOs and Research Institutions. The Research institutions have capacity to carry our research that could be commissioned or by students (both undergraduate and postgraduate level), that can address issues of identification of risk factors and appropriate mitigation options. These could also assess resource endowments (both natural and human) of communities in order to assess their capacity to address DRR and CCA. The third and forth weakness are being addressed by DoDMA and the development of the new policy that will present structures and institution set up to address DRR and CCA. The last weakness is what CORDAID would like to do, i.e. establish partnerships with organisations who they can work with and provide resources for several activities that have been listed below. Main needs to support disaster risk reduction efforts include:

(i) Implementation of a holistic approach is needed to address recurrent flooding in the Lower Shire Valley. Although the subject of many studies, flooding in the Lower Shire Valley has typically been addressed in a fragmented manner, often by project-to-project. Flood protection in this area could be a good starting point and reference

6 “Malawi: National progress report on the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action for the period (2007-2009) » - DoDMA - April 2009

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for the implementation of a DRR integrated approach. All DRR phases should be covered, with a good balance of structural and non-structural measures.

(ii) Implementation of priority flood, drought and earthquake DRR measures is needed. Many of these have been proposed by the various completed studies, such as the use of improved maize varieties and local varieties and water management through irrigation.7

Structural measures, such as storage dams and the construction of levees, and non structural measures such as flood zoning, development of national, provincial, and local building standards, and flood insurance are needed to address flood risks.

(iii)Most DRR and CCA activities have centred on production either using drought resistance crops in drought prone areas, or introduction of irrigation as response to water stress or even improvement in soil fertility by introduction of organic manure, agro-forestry and conservation agriculture. However, such interventions have proved unsustainable when project phases out. A number or constrains have been identified some of which are inability of rural famers to pay for energy cost of irrigation systems, low pricing of agricultural output from irrigation, poor storage facilities hence produce either sold at low prices high storage loses, poor road network hence making products inaccessible to potential buyers. To address these issues, power sources must be sustainable and cheap. Solar energy has proven to be sustainable and cheap to run for rural farmers in Nsanje (by CARD) and Salima (By REDCROSS) though it has huge initial cost. Learning from these successful projects can help extend such technologies and hence sustain the projects. In other areas increase in production has increase supply of agricultural products thereby flooding the market and reducing prices hence farmers are unable to finance the intervention after project phases out. Incorporating marketing and village savings clubs ensures that farmers are able to secure good markets, and also be able to save their earning for future use or investment. CADECOM in collaboration with CARE Malawi have piloted this model and have shown that farmers could save up to half a million Kwacha in a year or two. Such saving can be linked to private banks and then further provide farmers with more opportunities for credits. NASFAM has also been promoting marketing of crops after interventions in irrigation and other production technologies.

7 « Malawi: Economic Vulnerability and Disaster Risk Assessment” - Final Report (Volume 1: Main Report) - January 2010 – WB/GFDRR /RMSI.

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Figure 6: complete model of intervention for DRR and CCA

10.4 Gender issues Health and HIV/AIDS issues It is not possible to mainstream gender, HIV and AIDS in a systematic way unless you have set policies, guidelines and standards for doing so at coordination as well as partner level supported by effective capacity building of relevant players undertaking the advocacy process. Mainstreaming does not come automatically; it has to be planned and resourced. Therefore all the implementing partners need to develop gender and HIV/AIDS policies that will be used in their implementation of activities. Gender refers to the roles and responsibilities that are ascribed to people by society. There is a need to clear out the difference between involvement of women in DRR and CCA programmes and gender mainstreaming. Implementing partners should conduct properly designed training for both front-line staff and communities on gender. Involving only women or more women in the programmes without proper gender training has ended with programmes being labels as “women programmes” by most rural communities. This has causes men to shun away from such programmes and projects. This causes social conflicts within households or failure of some activities e.g. financial management recognising only woman, may create conflicts in a household because financial management is assumed to be a man’s responsibility. Either the woman is not allowed to participate or she participates at her own risk. This is very important as CORDAID now would like to extend to entrepreneurship that will involve financial management. Epidemics are often secondary and tertiary impacts of both floods and droughts, increasing the vulnerability, hampering recovery and reducing short to medium term resilience. Given the apparently increasing frequency of floods and droughts, as well as a context of greater vulnerability, attention as to how the cumulative impact of epidemics at a household level challenges DRR interventions and food security may well be warranted. However, due to lack of expertise in the sector and the fact that healthy impacts come as secondary impact, little is often included during the planning stage. There is a need to link with the ministry of health in each district and work with them from the District Health Officer down to the health surveillance officers. These will be responsible for the health aspect e.g. training of

29

community in health education, providing health facilities and services. These should be recruited a part of the implementing partners frontlines staff with full access to resources just like all other front line staff. They should also be fully part of the frontline staff, i.e. being part of meeting and decision making at their level. This will enable synchronising their activities in line with other activities from other sectors.

10.6 Local NGOs

A number of NGO qualify to partners with CORDAID. However, most of them have already good funding sources or may have programmes that are just redundant. The vulnerable districts to climate change related disasters (floods and drought) that still require more programmes to address DRR and CCA are the lake shore district of Mangochi, Salima and Karonga, Upper Shire- Balaka8

8 This Districts used to be part of Machinga District and hence does not appear in the venerability assessment but it the most affect (drought prone) of the then Machinga District.

and Zomba and the lower shire districts of Chikhwawa and Nsanje. Even though a number of NGOs have implemented some activities in these Districts, there is still potential for more. The most important issue to address is the sustainability which CADECOM has demonstrated in Kasungu. This could be replicated in the other districts. The criteria used to select these NGOs was good effective programmes with resources constrains.

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Table 4: Propose partners for CORDAID Name of NGO Current Location Current programme

CADECOM / ECM Advocacy and awareness

CEPA CfSC NASFAM

National wide

CADECOM Livelihood programmes

REDCROSS CARD EAM ACORD MALEZA

Karonga Salima Nsanje and Chikhwawa Nsanje and Chikhwawa Karonga Kasungu

Environmental management marketing, VSLA (in Kasungu Irrigation using solar, env. mgt Irrigation using solar Irrigation, livestock Irrigation, env. mgt Catchment utilisation and conservation

NASFAM Balaka Irrigation, marketing

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11.0 CONCLUSION

The disaster risk reduction/climate change adaptation study was carried out with the main objective of developing information which will assist in the development of the CORDAID strategic programme. Among other things the proposed CORDAID programme will aim at identifying new partners and scaling up some good practices being identified from the on-going or completed projects implemented by a selected list of NGOs.

Malawi has of let experience an increase in number of disasters like floods, drought, disease epidemics and pest attacks. The floods and drought have been accelerated due to climate change impact while the some of the disease epidemics are secondary and tertiary impact of the floods and drought. These hazards are common in low lying lake shore and lower shire districts of Karonga, Salima, Machinga, Mangochi Zomba Chikhwawa, and Nsanje. These districts have also been identified as the vulnerable in the NAPA.

In response to these hazards the Government developed an act in 1991, which is currently being reviewed to be in line with a new policy yet to be developed. This is aimed at harmonising response to the hazards and also reduction of their impacts. The new policy on DRR and CCA which will then be used for review the 1991 Act is currently being developed with resources from UNDP. This will facilitate the formalization of operation and structures which will be used to address DRR and CCA issues. This National DRR/CCA policy development programme seems well funded. CORDAID may have to concentrate on livelihood programmes and advocacy and awareness in the vulnerable communities.

At local level a number of areas still require assistance. Local NGOs, FBOs and CBOs operating in these areas and their activities have been reviewed to learn from them and assess areas of possible CORDAID support. The district most in need of DRR and CCA assistance and partners are Karonga, Salima, Mangochi, Balaka, Zomba, Chikwawa and Nsanje. A number of NGOs already operating in these areas have been proposed and include CADECOM, CEPA, CSC, for advocacy and awareness, CADECOM, REDCROSS, CARD, EAM, ARCORD and MALEZA for livelihood programmes and catchment conservation. These have very good programmes on the ground but are constrained in their resource.

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12.0 REFERENCES

Action Aid (2006). Climate Change and Smallholder Farmers in Malawi: Understanding Poor People’s Experience in Climate Change Adaptation. Lilongwe, Malawi

Blantyre Synod Development Commission ().Report On Popular Mobilization through Climate Change Hearings: Consolidating the Voices of the Poor towards Global Climate Justice, Equity and Sustainable Development. Blantyre, Malawi.

Bryant C. (2008). Care Malawi Strategic Plan. Lilongwe, Malawi

Catholic Relief Services (2009). Livelihood Strategies Eliminating Need Progress Report. Malawi Catholic Relief Services (2010) Emergency Preparedness and Response: “Contingency Plan” for Flood Related Disaster in Five Districts of Malawi for 2009/2010. Malawi Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (2006). Climate Change and Rural Livelihoods: Review of Policy on Adaptation of Small-Scale Farmers in Malawi. Limbe, Blantyre, Malawi.

Chinsinga S. (2009). Phalombe Livelihood Security Programme Annual Report. Blantyre, Malawi.

Churches Action in Relief Development (2009). Building Disaster Resilient Communities end of year report. Nsanje, Malawi.

Churches Action in Relief Development (2009). Building Disaster Resilient Communities Vulnerability report. Nsanje, Malawi.

Concern Universal (2009). Local Development Support Programme. Lilongwe, Malawi.

Concern Universal (2009). Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction Mitigation and Preparedness Programming. Lower Shire, Malawi.

Concern Universal (2009). The Development of District Disaster Risk Management Plans in Balaka, Ntcheu and Dedza: Experiences and Lessons Learnt. Lilongwe, Malawi Cooperazione Internazionale (2009) Digitalizing Historical Aerial Pictures In Malawi. Malawi

Evangelical Association of Malawi (2008). Community Based Natural Disaster Risk Reduction through Policy Change, Capacity Building and Community-Based Mitigation & Preparedness. Malawi

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GOAL Malawi (2008) Draft Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction Program Lessons Learnt and Good Practices: A Case Study of Strengthening Community Capacity on Disaster Awareness, Communication, Preparedness Risk Reduction and Participatory Empowerment of Local Structures on Disaster Mitigation, Preparedness, and Long-Term Prevention Project. Nsanje, Malawi

Malawi Red Cross (2010). Disaster risk reduction Annual Report- 2009 for MALAWI Red Cross society. Malawi

Matoka N. (2007). Participatory Vulnerability Analysis for Chikunkha and Kapalakonje Schools. Lilongwe, Malawi.

Mc Key M.A (2006). Disaster Risk Reduction through Schools Baseline Report. Action Aid Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi

Msukwa C. Et al (2008). Building Disaster Resilient Communities midterm evaluation report. Christian Aid, Lilongwe, Malawi

Norwegian Embassy (2009) Strategic Partnership between the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Lilongwe and the NGOs behind FAIR: Development Fund, Find Your Feet and Self Help Africa. Malawi Nsanje District Assembly (2007). District Flood Contingency Plan. Nsanje, Malawi

Sibale B. and Jere P. (2010) DIPECHO Community Based Disaster Preparedness Project (CBDPP)-Chikwawa District. Lilongwe, Malawi.

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13.0 Appendix

DETAILED SUMMARIES OF THE VULNERABLE DISTRICTS

Karonga

Karonga is one of the border districts of Malawi. It is one of the six districts located in Northern Region. It shares the country's international boundary with Tanzania to the North and district boundaries with Chitipa to the West and Rumphi to the South. Its main topographic features are the flat lift valley plain along the lakeshore and hilly plateau zone to the west towards Chitipa and Nyika National Park. Even the weather and climatic patterns follow the topography of the district - i.e. hot and humid along the lakeshore to cool and cold toward the hills. In terms of land size, Karonga is the second smallest district in the North after Likoma. It has an area of three thousand three hundred fifty five (3,355 km2) square kilometres. According to the 2008 Population and Housing Census the population of Karonga District is 270,960. The annual population growth rate is 2.86 %. Tumbukas and Ngondes are the dominant tribes of the district, in the same way as their language Chitumbuka and Kyangonde are the dominant languages. Christianity, with its various denominations, is the dominant religion. The natural environment in Karonga comprises several biotopes and ecosystems eg Lake Malawi, rivers, miombo forests and wetlands. These environments have become seriously degraded in recent years due to deforestation, over-fishing, erosion, flooding loss of biodiversity and siltation. These are the major vulnerability areas. However, Karonga is also a disaster prone areas. Recently, there was an earth quake which left a lot of people homeless. The economy of the district in based on agriculture. The major food crops are maize, rice cassava and bananas and the major cash crops the famous Kilombero rice, groundnuts, sweet potatoes, cotton and tobacco. Other important economic sectors are fisheries, forestry and mining ( mainly unranium) There are six Traditional Authorities (TAs) in the District: TA Kyungu, TA Wasambo, TA Kilupula, TA Karonga, TA Mwilang’ombe, TA Mwakaboko. According to NAPA TAs Kilupula, Mwakaboko and Kyungu are the most vulnerable in Karonga. However, there is a need to validate this information in order to establish if these are still most vulnerable since the NAPA process was completed in 2006.

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Figure 2. Map of Karonga showing distribution of Traditional Authorities

SALIMA

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Background information Salima district is located in the Central Region of Malawi, 103 kilometers east of Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. It has a total land area of 2,196 km2 and shares boundary with Nkhotakota to the north, Dowa and Ntchisi to the North west, Lilongwe to the West, Dedza and Mangochi to the south and Lake Malawi to the East. The district has a population of about 309 300 based on the 1998 Population and Housing Census. The Chewas and Yaos are predominant tribes in the district at 80% and 10% respectively followed by the Tongas at 8%. The most substantive religion is Christianity practiced by over 60% of the district population followed by Islam 30%. The rest follow either traditional cult ( Gule wa Mkulu). The main source of livelihood for the majority of the population is subsistence agriculture practiced on about 107400 hectares of customary farmland by a total 93,400 farm families. This translates into an average land holding size of 1.1 hectares per family. Maize is the major food crop grown in the district followed by sweet potatoes, cassava and rice Main landforms range from the rift valley floor to the scattered hilly upland areas lying between 200 and 1000 meteres above the sea level. There are four main rivers, Lifidzi, Lingadzi, Linthipe, and Chiluwa which provides the drainage system into Lake Malawi. The soild vary from clay-loam alluvial deposits, deep dark clay and black to shallow stony soils. Crop production is mostly done on the well drained loamy soils and alluvial deposits. The district experiences general warm tropical climate, with mean annual temperatures of 22 degrees Celsius which are highest in October and November and lowest between June and July. The district has vast potential for economic growth and expansion through agriculture and tourism. Presently the irrigation potential from its interlocking water system, the fertile well drained rift valley floor has not been fully utilised. Only 1400 hectares of private arable land is available is being utilized Vulnerable Traditional Authority

Salima has ten Traditional Authorities. These are Maganga, Kalonga, Pemba, Ndindi, Khombedza, Kuluunda, Kambwiri, Kambalame, Mwanza and Msosa. Although almost all the TAs are vulnerable to climate change impacts, the National Adaptation Program of Action identified a number of vulnerable TAs of Maganga, Msosa, Kalonga, Ndindi Kambwiri. The major vulnerability factors in this area are dry spells, and flooding especially due to Linthipe river which floods every year and destroys not only crops but also homes, environmental degradation, dry spells, erratic rains.

DEDZA

Dedza is located in the central region of Malawi. The district is bordered by Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, to the North, Salima to the Northeast, Mangochi to the east, Ntheu to the South and republic of Mozambique to the west. The district is 3624km2 in area and has a population of 623790 according to the 2008 Housing and Population census.

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the district has three main distinct topographical zones: the Lilongwe plains, Dedza Highlands and Dedza Escarpment. The Dedza escarpment is part of the western wall of the Rift Valley.

The environment in Dedza faces many challenges. Among them there is high rate of deforestation due to removal of trees for charcoal production, firewood and construction materials as well as for agricultural expansion, roads and settlements. This has led to decline in soil fertility.

The main crops grown are maize, rice, groundnuts, cow peas, cassava, potatoes, sweet potatoes and tobacco. Dedza is also know for horticultural crops and like citrus fruits, vegetables

The main vulnerability issues in Dedza are droughts, windstorms,late rains and climate associated health problems like cholera.

Vulnerable Traditional Authority

According to the NAPA process, TA Kasumbu was identified as the most vulnerable area. However, feasibility study and further consultation with the district assembly identified TA Kachindamoto as most vulnerable.

CHIKHWAWA DISTRICT

Background information

Chikhwawa district is located in the Southern Region of Malawi. It is bounded by Mozambique on the west and the districts of Mwanza to the north, Blantyre to the Northeast, Thyolo to the east and Nsanje to the south. Its main topographic features are the flat basin of Shire River which flows along the Rift Valley and the Thyolo-Chikwawa Escarpment which forms one wall of the valley. The main tribal groups are the Sena and the Mang’anja; Chichewa and Chisena are the main languages.

Chikhwawa has an area of about 4,755 km2 and a population of about 438,895 according to the Population and Housing Census 2008. Agriculture provides the major source of livelihoods for the district with the main food crops being maize, rice, sorghum and horticultural crops. Cotton is the main cash crop. Livestock raised include chickens, goats, cattle sheep and rabbits. Fish from the rivers are additional source of protein and income.

The major problems facing the district are food insecurity, low accessibility to water and sanitation, high morbidity and mortality, high illiteracy, poor communication infrastructure, environmental degradation, poor urban planning, high prevalence of HIV and AIDS, poor livestock management, declining fish stocks, and wildlife and human conflict over resources. The NAPA identified Chikwawa District as one of the six most vulnerable districts in Malawi.

In spite of the numerous problems, Chikwawa has considerable potential for development. For example the Shire and other rivers are under-utilised for irrigation. There is also ample

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arable land and natural pastures, unexploited mineral deposits, national parks and wildlife reserves.

A review of the literature, and district documents revealed several climate vulnerability factors in the district, including floods, droughts, late rains and prolonged dry spells. In addition, the district is affected by environmental degradation, low income levels, poor livestock management and unsustainable technologies and projects.

The district has several adaptation opportunities in such areas as disaster risk reduction and alternative- and livestock-based livelihoods. The district has potential for ecotourism as Majete Wildlife Reserve and Lengwe National Park are located in the District. At both the community and district level there is a need for capacity building on climate change issues and the linkage to natural resources management. District personnel should be conversant with key government tools and strategies, and have the capacity to review action plans and introduce climate change adaptation into district annual plans.

Vulnerable Traditional Authority

The NAPA process identified TAs N’gabu, Chapananga, and Paramount Chief Lundu as particularly vulnerable areas in Chikwawa. The consulting team carried out a baseline survey and consultation meeting in Chikwawa to validate the information from the NAPA. This process determined that TA Chapananga is the most vulnerable of the identified TAs, and that it meets the CARLA selection criteria.

Based on the 2008 population census, TA Chapananga has a population of 87,844 and a population density of 75 persons per km2. Chapananga is located about 40 km from the district centre. According to the Chikwawa Socio-economic Profile, TA Chapananga is particularly vulnerable because of flooding of the Mwanza River.

ZOMBA DISTRICT

Background information

Zomba district is one of the 13 districts in the Southern region of Malawi. It is adjacent to the districts of Chiradzulu, Blantyre, Mulanje, Phalombe, Machinga and Balaka, and to the Republic of Mozambique in the east. The total land area is 2,541 km2, representing 3% of Malawi.

According to the Population and Housing Census 2008, the district has a population of 583,167 people, more than half (52.6%) of whom are 18 years or younger. The population density is 230 persons per km2, and the annual population growth rate over the last decade was 2%.the main ethnic groups are Mang’anja/Nyanja, Yao and Lomwe. The language Chinyanja is spoken by most of the inhabitants, although other languages like Chiyao and Chilomwe are also used. The two dominant religions are Christianity and Islam.

The economy of Zomba District is dominated by agriculture, with maize as the main food crop and tobacco the main cash crop. Other crops produced include rice, cassava, sweet potato, groundnuts, beans and pigeon peas. Although animal husbandry is relatively underdeveloped, the area produces cattle, poultry, goats, sheep, pigs and rabbits for meat, with poultry being the most common. Zomba on the other hand is one of the few districts

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where fish ponds are relatively common. There are about 2,600 farmers engaged in aquaculture, operating more than 5,000 ponds and producing as much as 757 tonnes of fish annually. In addition, Lake Chirwa is the main source of fish in the district, with an annual catch of more than 5000 tonnes.

Poverty is wide-spread. According to the Social Economic Profile for the district, about 70% of the population falls below the national poverty line, making Zomba one of the three poorest districts in Malawi.

The district is endowed with natural resources, particularly natural forests and water resources, but most are threatened by over-utilisation. Encroachment into forest reserves and cultivation along the riverbanks and marginal areas has resulted in massive erosion, siltation of rivers and persistent flooding in low-lying areas. Commercial charcoal burning is a particular problem in Zomba.

The main climate-related vulnerabilities in Zomba District are deforestation, flooding, declining water levels, and soil degradation. There are several factors that that have led to high rate of deforestation in the district, the major ones being cutting of trees for firewood and charcoal, and forest fires. Deforestation has in turn led to soil degradation, erosion, and siltation of the lower areas of rivers which cause flooding during the rainy season. It has also led to reduced drainage of water from the upper watershed, causing some rivers to become seasonal and thus causing loss of aquatic habitats. Soil degradation is also a result of poor farming practices.

In order to adapt to these conditions, some communities have been involved in such activities as construction of dykes along the river banks, re-vegetating river banks, soil and water conservation, reforestation, fish farming, rice production, and irrigation. Most often these activities have been undertaken with assistance from government departments and NGOs.

Vulnerable Traditional Authority

The NAPA process identified TA Kachulu as the most vulnerable TA in Zomba. However after the validation survey, a review of the literature and several district consultation it was concluded that TA Mwambo was more vulnerable to climate change and variability than TA Kachulu since it is a low lying area that is heavly affected by flooding and soil deposition. The Zomba District State of the Environment Report also confirmed that by virtue of TA Mwambo being close to Lake Chirwa, it was vulnerable to flooding by the lake as well as by rivers. There area is marshy rendering much of the land unsuitable for agriculture.

NSANJE DISTRICT

Background information

Nsanje district is one of the thirteen districts in the Southern Region of Malawi. It is situated at the tip of the country with the Lower Shire Valley. The district is bordered by Chikwawa in the northwest, Thyolo in the north, and the rest is surrounded by the Republic of Mozambique. The total land area of the district is 1942 km2 and it has a population of 238,100 according to the Population and Housing Census 2008, with a growth rate of 2.1%

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which is significantly lower than the national population growth rate of 2.8%. The main ethnic groups are the Sena and Mang’anja and the main languages are Chichewa and Chisena. The religions represented in the district are Christianity, Islam and Mbona.

The economy of Nsanje District is dominated by agriculture which accounts for over 80% of the economy. Crop production is dominated by smallholder farming with sweet potatoes, maize, sorghum and millet as the major food crops and cotton the major cash crop. Livestock (cattle, goats, pigs, poultry and rabbits) are a common part of the farming system.

There are three major natural regions in the district; most of the district is made up of the relatively level floor of the Rift Valley. Through this flows the Shire River which has extensive associated marshes. The third region is the mountainous wall of the Rift Valley. The hills and scarp have thin stony soils and open canopy Bracystegia woodland. Woodland Savannah occur along the Shire River Valley; however most of this vegetation has been cleared for agriculture.

A review of literature and district documents (DDPs, SEPs) revealed several vulnerability factors affecting the district. These include floods, droughts, late rains, erratic rains and health related problems such as cholera. In addition, the district is affected with agricultural marketing problems such as low price for cotton and lack of external markets for cattle and goats. Other factors that contribute to climate related vulnerability in Nsanje include termite damage to crops (especially maize), lack of fodder, and crop damage by livestock.

At both the community and district level, there is need for capacity building on climate change issues and the linkage to natural resource management. District personnel should be conversant with the key government tools and strategies, and have the capacity to review action plans and introduce climate change adaptation into district annual plans.

Vulnerable Traditional Authority

The NAPA process identified two TAs in Nsanje as particularly vulnerable: TA Nyachikadza and TA Chimombo. However, district consultations revealed that TA Nyachikadza is only accessible by boating during rainy season, and TA Chimombo also has accessibility constaints. TA Tengani was identified through consultations as another highly vulnerable TA. It is readily accessible year-round from the main road, has environments representative of the district, and has other NGOs operating with which the project could collapse. The DESC and NGOs interviewed agreed that Tengani was the TA which best fit the selection criteria. The TA has a population of 34,529 and a population density of 59 persons per km2.

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9.0 CURRENT PROGRAMMES IN MALAWI ON DRR AND CCA 9.1 Local Faith Based Organisations (FBOs)

BLANTYRE SYNOD DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

LOCATION OF PROGRAM

TYPE OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

Blantyre -Kunthembwe • Community awareness meetings • Awareness meeting with district

officials • Conduct sample hearing • Review of sample hearings • Actual hearing

• Raise awareness of climate change • Organize and document climate hearing at

least two at village level, one at T/A level and one at district level

• Contribute to global voices on climate change

• Gather and document testimonies in which demonstrates the impact of climate change on humankind

• Environmental management

• Sample hearings involved 43 females and 64 males and aActual hearings involve 41 females and 52 males

Phalombe • Distribution of improved seed to farmers

• Training extension multipliers on crop production

• Manure campaign • Establishment of fertilizer revolving

loan schemes • Distribution of small livestock • Support and monitor village

implementation committee and community based organization livestock drug boxes

• Distribution of equipment and seed for afforestation

• Distribution of pond construction material and fish handling equipment

• Review workshops for old village natural resource management committees

• Support to village natural resource management committees in tree management and nursery tree seedlings

• Awareness meetings on environmental degradation

• Training of new village natural resource management committees in tree management and nursery tree seedlings

• Procurement of equipment and seed for afforestation

• Exchange visits for village natural resource management committees

• Exchange visit for fruit farmers

• Gender training • Community action

groups training in gender and gender based violence

• HIV/AIDS response

• Gender equality

• Emergency preparedness

Safety nets

2

CHURCH ACTION IN RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT

LOCATION TYPE OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

Nsanje • Expansion of irrigation sites • Introduction of conservation

farming which uses pits or planting basins

• Introduction of manure making that won’t take time to decompose

• Encouraging growing of drought tolerant crops that are high yielding

• Provision of extension services

• Increase operationalised disaster risk reduction development work

• Reduce level of suffering among people in the communities exposed to repeated occurrence of disasters

• Raise awareness among people to be actively involved in preparation of disaster preparedness and management plans

• Disaster management

• Males and females participate in the programme activities by switching shifts in guarding fields

• Training of village members in borehole maintenance to ensure access to safe water hence reducing pervasiveness of cholera

• Sanitation training to avoid cholera

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CHRISTIAN AID OF MALAWI

LOCATION

TYPE OF ACTIVITIES DRR/CCA POLICY

GENDER HEALTH

• Phalombe • Salima • Nsanje

• Provision of inputs like piglets, bees, goats, maize seed, fertilizer, sweet potato vines and cassava cuttings

• Riverbank tree planting • Establishing community

revolving fund • Establishment of irrigation

schemes • Development of water catchment

schemes • Construction of grain banks

• Support community based disaster preparedness projects

• Capacity building to anticipate and monitor flooding through development of community based early warning systems

• Construction of a dyke to protect from flooding

• Disaster preparedness

• Sustainable livelihoods

• Internal mainstreaming through team reflection on gender issues that need to be addressed

• Empowering women and girls with knowledge and skills to facilitate positive behavioral change

• Support partners’ service delivery and advocacy work on HIV

• Facilitated changing of religious, gender and cultural related practices and attitudes that increase stigma and discrimination and perpetuates spread of HIV

• Lobbying government to change the draft HIV bill to respect the human rights and work to reduce stigma on HIV

• Lobbying government and faith organizations or churches to adopt SAVE in their HIV strategies

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CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES (CRS)

LOCATION TYPE OF ACTIVITIES DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER

HEALTH

• Mzuzu • Karonga • Nkhatabay • Nkhotakota • Mangochi • Balaka • Chikwawa • Zomba • Phalombe

• Distribution of food • Distribution of

agricultural inputs • Distribution of nonfood

items

• Promotion watershed management practices

• Promotion of conservation agriculture techniques

• Strengthens community capacity and assets to develop mitigation and response plans and to influence decisions that affect their ability to mitigate disasters

• Disaster relief

• Food security

• Increase access to care and support services for people living with AIDS • Provide target food transfers for individuals living with AIDS • Provision of nutritious food to people living with AIDS • Provision of water guard to areas that are cholera prone • Distribution of mosquito nets

EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION OF MALAWI

LOCATION TYPE OF ACTIVITIES

DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

• Mchinji • Mzimba • Machinga • Chikwawa • Nsanje

• Seed distribution • Seed multiplication • Distribution of

livestock

• Desilting and rehabilitating river course • Agroforestry • Small scale irrigation • Introduction of energy saving technologies • Introduction of Indian Tanks

• Food security • Environmental

management • Adult literacy

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ECM / CADECOM

LOCATION TYPE OF ACTIVITIES

DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

• Karonga • Chikhwawa • Nsanje • Mangochi

• Agriculture and food security

• Water and sanitation • Health protection • Logistics and early

recovery

• Flood contingency early warning and monitoring •

•

Centre for Social Concern

LOCATION TYPE OF ACTIVITIES

DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

• • • •

9.2 Local Non Governmental Organisation NASFAM

LOCATION TYPE OF ACTIVITIES

DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

Balaka, Ntcheu, • training farmers in crop diversification and the production of drought resistant

• promoting drought resistant varieties • irrigation • Extension services (awareness creation

• Agricultural production and marketing

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crops, by promoting small scale irrigation and winter cropping, by promoting the establishment of seed banks for indigenous seeds, by promoting organic farming

Malawi enterprise Zones Association MALEZA

LOCATION TYPE OF ACTIVITIES

DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

Kasungu Lilongwe

• Food Security • Natural Resources

Management and environmental protection

• Participatory sustainable management of forests and natural resources of the Lilongwe river watershed.

• supporting communities in the sustainable utilization of wetlands for climate change adaptation

Committed to address constraints being faced by smallholder farmers in Malawi, right from crop production through crop marketing and storage and to

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build a future that guarantees everyone adequate living conditions, equal opportunities and respect of their rights.

THE ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (ARCOD)

LOCATION TYPE OF ACTIVITIES

DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

• Karonga • Chikwawa • Nsanje

• Agriculture and Food Security • Rights & Empowerment Enterprise Development Nutrition and Health • Climate Change Adaptation

• (Irrigation, winter cropping, modern farming, diversifications

• Gender, Child & Women Rights • Natural Resource Management (afforestation,

agro-forestry, woodlot, organic farming

• Food security • Environmental

management

• HIV & AIDS, Home economics,

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene

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9.3 International Non Governmental Organisations CARE MALAWI

LOCATION TYPE OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

• Kasungu • Ntchisi • Dowa • Salima • Lilongwe

• coordinating community capacities to manage food security interventions

• Enhancing household income earning opportunities

• Promoting nutrition security of under‐fives and pregnant and lactating mothers

• Mitigating the impact of HIV AIDS on food security;

• Promoting winter crop production and water harvesting capabilities of communities

• Facilitating reduction in post harvest losses

• Promoting livestock production • Development of water committees • Provision of funds to establish village

savings and loan associations • Provision of technical assistance to

beneficiaries of village savings and loan associations.

• Enhancing capacity of vulnerable households and communities to adjust to and mitigate the impacts of environmental shocks and degradation, and emergencies

• development and implementation of a long‐term strategy for dealing with climate change, emergencies and disaster mitigation

• integration of climate change and disaster risk reduction interventions in current programming strategies to enhance resilience and adaptability

• Development of irrigation sites • Promotion of conservation

agriculture.

• Food security

• Agriculture • Education • Economic

opportunities

• Social and economic empowerment

• Social protection

• Rural infrastructure

• Emergency response

• Reduce vulnerability of marginalized women and girls through active policy engagement on key issues.

• Enhancing equitable access to quality basic services by marginalized groups, especially women and girls

• Promoting equity in girls’ access to quality basic education through addressing gender based violence and enhancing the quality education service delivery

• Enhancing leadership skills of marginalized girls

• Promoting community support to girls’ education

•Promoting good sanitation practices •Policy advocacy and research on HIV/AIDS

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CONCERN UNIVERSAL

LOCATION

ACTIVITIES

DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

• Dedza • Ntcheu • Balaka • Phalombe • Thyolo • Chikwawa

• Provision of safe drinking water in schools

• Provision of solar energy

• Encourages crop diversification • Off-farm enterprise development • Promotes water harvesting • Promote small-scale irrigation • Promotes adoption of soil fertility improvement and soil

conservation technologies • Support land use management e.g. afforestation, reforestation,

watersheds • Promotes adoption and use of chitetezo mbaula (improved clay fired

stoves) for sustainable utilization of biomass energy

• Disaster risk management

• Environmental management

• Food security

• Promotion of chitetezo mbaula so that women do not walk a long distance in search for firewood

• Provision of safe drinking water to reduce the distance women cover in search for water

• Provision of safe drinking water to prevent water borne diseases

CONCERN WORLDWIDE

LOCATION TYPE OF ACTIVITIES DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER

HEALTH

• Nsanje • Lilongwe • Nkhotakota • Dowa

• Construction of community grain banks • Providing for Chiponde project (school

feeding project) • Provision of goats to the vulnerable

groups

• Promoting crop diversification

• Promotion of small-scale irrigation

• Food security and livelihood

• Health • education

• preparing hospitals for times when cholera incidences are high

• monitors disease incidences using Ministry of Health data

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COOPERAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE (COOPI)

LOCATION

TYPE OF ACTIVITIES DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER

HEALTH

• Lilongwe • Purchase of high resolution scanner and relative spare parts and maintenance services for Land Resource Conservation Department

• Build capacity of eight people from Land Resource Conservation Department

• To conduct a series of visual interpretations and studies in order to measure land use changes, in relation to climate change, deforestation and disaster risk reduction programs

• Examines the link between deforestation, floods and the impact on agriculture for places where data is available and impacts have been documented.

• Examines potential areas for reforestation to mitigate the impact of floods

• Environmental management

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OXFAM

LOCATION TYPE OF ACTIVITIES DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

Chiradzulu • Distribution of Agroforestry seed • Facilitating training sessions • Gives funds for buying inputs • Procure home-based care kits and

drugs for Home Based Care clients

• Encouraging soil and water conservation training

• Promoting small scale irrigation • Promotes crop diversification • Carries out climate change

awareness campaigns • Involved in tree planting

• Food security • Environmenta

l management

• Trains 87 female and 56 male lead farmers

• Involves 1000 women in dairy production

• Conducts HIV counseling among registered Home Based Care clients

• Facilitates the formation of post-test clubs

• Conducts HIV and AIDS bi-monthly awareness meetings in the communities

MALAWI RED CROSS SOCIETY

LOCATION TYPE OF ACTIVITIES DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

Salima • supply of seeds, fertilizer and treadle pumps

• supply of shelter kits and tarpaulins • construction of community grain

banks

• tree planting • promotion of irrigation farming • installation of water gauges • Facilitate construction of storm drains, planting of Reeds and elephant grass. • Promote manure making • Disaster reduction community awareness campaign

• Environmental management

• Food security • Disaster

management

• First aid training in disaster prone areas

• Construction of improved latrines

• • • •

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ACTION AID

LOCATION ACTIVITIES DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

Nsanje • Disaster relief • Building safer schools

• Raising awareness of disaster reduction and improving disaster preparedness in schools;

• Tracking changes linked to climate change • Planting trees along river banks • Dredging rivers • Introducing disaster risk reduction through schools

• Disaster management • Education • Capacity building

GOAL MALAWI

LOCATION ACTIVITIES DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

Nsanje • HIV • Nutrition • Disaster

preparedness

• Capacity building in disaster preparedness and first aid • Awareness raising in preparedness measures • Community drills in times of acute disaster response • River dredging and tree planting • Giving of facilities that will enhance communication in times of disaster • Coordinating stakeholder meetings that promote sharing of disaster management

• Food security

• Disaster management

• Women are allowed to voice out their concerns on disaster management

• Provides sanitation facilities in times of floods

• Provides health care

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9.4 International donor organisations IRISH AID

LOCATION

ACTIVITIES DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

Lilongwe • Fund different organizations

• Provide disaster relief

• Capacity building on disaster risk reduction

• Involved in post-emergency recovery

• Fund disaster preparedness projects

• Health • Education • Environmental

management • Gender • governance

• provision of maternal and reproductive health

• addressing women healthcare needs

• provision of safe drinking water • capacity building of supplementary and

therapeutic feeding programmes for individuals living with AIDS and other vulnerable groups

• facilitates malaria prevention and control

NORWEGIAN EMBASSY

LOCATION

ACTIVITIES DRR/CCA POLICY GENDER HEALTH

Lilongwe • Providing funding to organization

• Promotes agro-ecology

• Encourages sustainable use of natural resources

• Gender • Environmental

management • HIV/AIDS

• Encourages women to participate in programme activities

• Empowers women to be the centre of the development process

• Empowers women to fulfil leadership roles in project design and management

• Helping through MACRO and FOCUS • Raising awareness on HIV/AIDS issues • Providing voluntary testing and

counselling • Improving nutrition for people living with

HIV/AIDS

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Major Ongoing Projects by Multilateral donor Organizations in Malawi.

WORLD BANK PROJECTS Community-Based Rural Land Development Project Community‐Based Rural Land Development Project (Loan & Credit) Agricultural Sector Development Agriculture Development Program SLM Malawi Third Social Action Fund (MASAF 3) APL II (LDF Mechanism) Second National Water Development Project ‐ Additional Financing (ACGF) Second National Water Development Project MW - Avian Influenza prevention and control

GFDRR FUNDED PROJECTS Mainstreaming Disaster Reduction for Sustainable Poverty Reduction: Malawi (GFDRR Track II: single country focus project)

Disaster Risk Management in the Sub‐Saharan Africa Region (GFDRR Track II: Burkina Faso, Comoros, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Seychelles, Swaziland)

Phase 1 of an Activity to Support National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (GFDRR Track II: Albania, Armenia, Ecuador, Malawi, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Solomon Islands) Disaster risk management in Africa: strategic framework‐good practice‐communication (GFDRR Track II: Burkina Faso, Comoros, Congo Democratic Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal)

SELECTED DONOR PROJECTS DFID‐World Bank‐ Norway Aid‐Irish Aid: Community Resilience to Natural Disasters and Climate Risks

DFID/CHASe: “Community based Disaster Risk Reduction Projects” (through 3 NGOs Christian Aid, Action Aid and Tear fund in partnership with local civil society organizations)

UN (through mainly UNDP, but also WFP/UNICEF/UNHabitat/FAO/UNRCO): One UN Disaster Risk Reduction Programme

UNDP‐UNEP Poverty and Environment Initiative (PEI) – Phase I World Bank /GOM/IFAD: Irrigation, Rural Livelihoods and Agricultural Development (IRLAD) Project GEF/ Ministry of Lands : Capacity Building for Soil and Land Management in Shire River Basin (23,000 sq km)

DFID: Integrated Food Security Programme

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ADF: Smallholder Crop Production and Marketing Project

EU: Improved Forest Management for Sustainable Livelihoods Programme

DfID (through NGOs : Evangelical Association of Malawi / Tear Fund UK): Food Security and Community Based Disaster Risk Mitigation Project

ADF: Rural Income Enhancement Project DfID (through NGOs : River of Life Evangelical Church / Tear Fund UK) Community‐based disaster Mitigation and Preparedness project

Hunger Project Globe: Sustainable Livelihood Security project EU : Income Generating Public Works Programme

CORDAID/CADECOM: Disaster Risk Management project World Bank, AfDB, FAO, Italy, Belgium, Norway: National Programme for Food Security AfDB : Smallholder Crop Production and Marketing Project

IFAD : Rural Livelihoods and Economic Enhancement Programme EU: Farm Income Diversification Programme

GoM/ICP: Integrated Water and Rural Agricultural Credit (pipeline project)

AfDB /GEF/LDCF: Climate Adaptation for Rural Livelihoods and Agriculture (CARLA) (pipeline project)

DIPECHO (through NGOs): DIPECHO’s support to Disaster Risk Reduction – Phase 2

IFRC/ICRC/Finnish Red Cross: Disaster Management programme

WFP: PRRO 105860: Assistance to food insecure people suffering from the effects of natural disasters and HIV and AIDS

DFID (through NGOs): Disaster Risk Reduction Project design DFID (through NGOs and multilateral organizations): DFID Malawi Climate Change Programme

DFID (through NGOs and emergency aid): Support for Victims of Storms and Floods

DFID: Support to MVAC – Phase II USAID‐OFDA/IFRC/WMO: Zambezi River Basin Initiative project (Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe) USAID‐OFDA/WMO/IFRC: Zambezi River Flood Early Warning and Mitigation project (Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe)

USAID/CARE: Drought Mitigation through Irrigation Promotion and Conservation Agriculture Extension Project USAID‐OFDA: Technical Support for Vulnerability Assessment Committees (VACs) in Southern Africa, through USAID‐funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) (Southern African countries) NORAD/USAID/Total Land Care: Management Adaptation for Climate Change Projects in Chia Lagoon in Nkhotakota district (integrated watershed management project) NORAD/ LEAD and World Fish Center : Lake Chirwa Basin Project (integrated watershed management project)

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