Malawi

Malawi is highly susceptible to multiple natural hazards, including floods, droughts and cyclones, due to its geographical location and climate patterns. The impacts of these hazards can be severe; leading to loss of life, displacement of communities, damage to infrastructure, and disruption of livelihoods. Climate-induced weather events are causing significant losses and damages to Malawi, leading to fiscal pressure and macro-economic instability.

During 2016, droughts resulted in economic losses and damage totalling USD 365.9 million. More recently, Cyclone Freddy affected 2,267,458 people, displaced 659,278 and caused 679 fatalities. The cyclone led to disaster-related costs of USD 506.7 million and necessitated recovery and reconstruction costs of USD 680.4 million.

Since 2021, Concern Worldwide have been working in 15 communities in Malawi with high vulnerability to floods and food shortages along the Lower Shire River in Nsanje District. At the community level, Concern have facilitated the implementation of action plans, incorporating nature-based flood management solutions, early warning systems, flood-resilient housing, and climate-adaptive livelihood initiatives. Concern have also contributed to improving national policies by advocating for the Disaster Risk Management Bills enactment. The coalition engaged with a variety of government ministries and departments around key priorities and the Bill was eventually passed in April 2023.