Cyclone Freddy
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- ItemOpen AccessThe Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act 1991(Malawi Government Printing Press, 1991-12-17) Malawi GovernmentAn act to make provision for the co-ordination and implementation of measures to alleviate effects of disasters, the establishment of the office of Commissioner for Disaster Preparedness and Relief, the establishment of a National Disaster Preparedness and Relief Committee of Malawi, and for matters incidental thereto or connected therewith.
- ItemOpen AccessAfrica Regional Strategy for Disaster Reducation(New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), 2004-06-01) African UnionAfrica is the only continent whose share of reported disasters in the world total has increased over the past decade. More people are affected by natural hazards, and economic losses incurred are rising. Disaster impacts have become an impediment to sustainable development in Africa. Disaster risk reduction policies and institutional mechanisms do exist at various degrees of completeness in African countries. However, their effectiveness is limited, hence the need for a strategic approach to improving and enhancing their effectiveness and efficiency by emphasizing disaster risk reduction. The African Union (AU) and its New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) offers the opportunity to promote such a strategic change. Indeed, the need to address the issue of disasters comprehensively came to the fore during the process of developing NEPAD’s operational programmes by the NEPAD Secretariat, which provided the impetus for the development of an Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction. To develop the Strategy, a baseline study was carried out to establish the status of disaster risk reduction in Africa. It emerged from the study that development was at risk from disasters mainly because of gaps in the following areas: institutional frameworks; risk identification; knowledge management; governance; and emergency response. In the light of all the above concerns, the aim of the Strategy is to contribute to the attainment of sustainable development and poverty eradication by facilitating the integration of disaster risk reduction into development. The Strategy’s objectives are to: (1) increase political commitment to disaster risk reduction; (2) improve identification and assessment of disaster risks; (3) enhance knowledge management for disaster risk reduction; (4) increase public awareness of disaster risk reduction; (5) improve governance of disaster risk reduction institutions; and (6) integrate of disaster risk reduction in emergency response management. The Strategy suggests strategic directions to achieve these objectives. The following stakeholders have key institutional roles to play in the implementation and monitoring of the Strategy: AU/NEPAD, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction1, national governments, major groups (mainly civil society bodies and the private sector) and international development partners. This Strategy, which is to be followed by a Programme of Action, was reviewed at several forums May/June 2004: a Meeting of Experts to discuss the Strategy, an African Regional Consultations on the 2005 World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR), and the Second Meeting of the Africa Working Group on disaster risk reduction. The Strategy was adopted by African ministers at the 10th Meeting of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) from 26-30 June 2004 and submitted to the AU Assembly Summit, where the Strategy was positively received by Heads of State at the 3rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 6-8 July 2004, with a call to develop a Programme of Action for its implementation.
- ItemOpen AccessNational Disaster Risk Reduction Framework 2010-2015(2010-06-01) Malawi GovernmentMalawi faces multiple hazards in both rural and urban areas, which include floods, heavy storms, droughts, dry spells, epidemics, fire incidents, landslides, earthquakes and HIV and AIDS. Between 1974 and 2003, these hazards cumulatively affected 25 million people making the country one of the worst affected amongst the poor countries based on mean annual number of affected per 100,000 people. Environmental degradation, poverty, rapid urbanization, and lack of effective disaster risk reduction efforts have compounded the vulnerability of the population to hazards and consequently, exacerbating the disasters. Disasters play an important role in increasing poverty of rural and urban households and can explain larger geographical distribution of poverty in the country. They erode the ability of national economy to invest in key social sectors which are important to reducing poverty. For example, the southern region has the highest concentration of poor people and at the same time experiences most severe forms of disasters, such as flooding and droughts. Major disasters have had substantial budgetary impacts, resulting in additional unplanned expenditure, widening fiscal deficits and increased domestic borrowing and thus, in rising domestic interest rates and additional inflation2. The nature and pattern of weather related hazards is changing as a result of climate change - becoming more frequent, intense and unpredictable. For example between 1970 and 2006 Malawi experienced 40 weather related disasters, but 16 of these occurred after 1990. More importantly, the number of people affected by these disasters has increased sharply since 1990. The geographical coverage of floods and droughts has also increased. For instance, prior to 2001, only nine districts in Malawi were classified as flood-prone; in 2001, 16 districts were affected. Changes in other climatic and non climatic variables are also increasing peoples vulnerability to high impact hazards. In an effort to understand the changes in the nature and pattern of these hazards, Malawi prepared a National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) that clarifies the impact of climate change on disasters. The Government realizes that any aspirations to reduce poverty in the country in a sustainable manner will require strategic and proactive investment in disaster risk reduction.
- ItemOpen AccessNational Disaster Risk Management Communication Strategy(Department of Disaster Management Affairs, 2014-08-01) Malawi GovernmentMalawi is exposed to many hazards that cause disasters every year, impacting thousands of people across the country. Recently, and as a result of population growth, rapid urbanization, climate change, environmental degradation and other factors, the magnitude, impact and frequency of these disasters has been on the increase. Overall, the hazards that are commonly experienced include floods, heavy storms, droughts, dry spells, epidemics, fires, landslides and HIV and AIDS. Nationally, although 15 districts are considered as disaster prone, experience has shown that other districts are also affected. The country has recently witnessed disasters of high magnitude in districts and areas that have not experience disasters. In addition, disasters, such as floods, have occurred in cities and urban areas, which have traditionally not been considered in national disaster risk management efforts. Malawi has established weather related early warning systems for floods, strong winds, and drought, among others. At present a range of dissemination methods for early warming are used. These include, but are not limited to, radio (national and local), email, television, print media, internet websites, regional and national workshops and mobile and fixed phones. There is, however, limited understanding of the effectiveness of these methods in terms of relevance, impact and appropriateness for vulnerable communities. In addition, although there exist a lot of indigenous early warning systems, practices and beliefs by the community, these have not been studied and documented in detail. The Disaster Risk Management Communication Strategy has been developed as an important tool in the implementation of disaster risk management programmes in the country. The Government of Malawi recognizes the huge impact that disasters have in the socio-economic development of the country and in attaining the development aspirations of the country as outlined in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy II (MGDS II). Apart from the potential loss of life, the main negative impacts of floods, for instance, are damage and destruction of property, agricultural and livestock systems, damage to infrastructure, disruption of social services, internal displacement, separation of children from caregivers and possible trauma and psychological distress. Unless measures are found to address these disaster risks, the Malawi Government, its development partners and other stakeholders will continue spending resources that would have otherwise been spent on productive sectors of the economy. It is, therefore, the desire of the Malawi Government that information on disaster risk management be made accessible to everybody in a form that will be understood and enable people take positive actions to tackle the disaster risks they are exposed to. It is only when people are informed that they can take steps to adopt resilience enhanced practices. The National Disaster Risk Management Communication Strategy (NDRMCS) has been developed to ensure that those exposed to disasters are informed about the risks and are aware of the measures to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from these hazards. Due to the importance of weather, climate and early warning systems in disaster risk management, the strategy has deliberately emphasized the need to integrate issues of weather, climate and early warning systems as a way of preparing communities for disasters. This, importantly, means that we need to find channels of communication that are accessible to all people, particularly the most vulnerable, such as those that are illiterate, women and children, the elderly and people with disabilities. The NDRMCS targets many stakeholders nationwide. These include communities at large, local government, NGOs, private sector, politicians, government agencies, opinion formers, religious leaders, development partners and the general public. The strategy also targets policy makers that play a critical and strategic role in policy development and implementation of disaster risk management programmes. The Government further recognizes the media as an important partner in disaster risk management, particularly in promoting adoption of positive behaviors that contribute to attaining a disaster resilient Malawi. It is therefore my expectation that the NDRMCS will provide a harmonized way of learning, information and knowledge management and communication on disaster risk management issues at all level. If implemented, the NDRMCS should lead to a well-informed nation on disaster risk management. In the long-term, the improved awareness and knowledge on disaster risk management will increase resilience of communities, which is in line with the draft Disaster Risk Management policy and the Hyogo Framework of Action. Successful implementation of the strategy requires continued collaboration, consultation, engagement, participation, resourcing and coordination of all those concerned.
- ItemOpen AccessNational Disaster Risk Management Policy 2015(Malawi Government Printing Press, 2015-01-05) Malawi GovernmentMalawi faces a number of disasters, both natural and human-made which include floods, drought, stormy rains, strong winds, hailstorms, landslides, earthquakes, pest infestations, diseases outbreaks, fire and accidents. The intensity and frequency of disasters has been increasing, in light of climate change, population growth, urbanisation and environmental degradation. Disasters disrupt people’s livelihoods, endanger human and food security, damage infrastructure and hinder socio-economic growth and development. Disasters also increase the poverty of rural and urban households and erode the ability of the national economy to invest in key social sectors which are important to reducing poverty. It is, therefore, important to address disaster risks for the socio-economic development of the country. Disaster risk management, together with social support, is considered within theme three “Social Support and Disaster Risk Management” of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy II (MGDS II); a national development strategy that ensures that resources are targeted towards priority areas thereby contributing to the attainment of sustainable development. The development of the National Disaster Risk Management (NDRM) Policy is a major step towards achieving sustainable development through ensuring that disaster risk management is integrated in development planning by all sectors in the country. The policy will also facilitate the effective coordination of disaster risk management programmes in the country. It highlights a set of key priority areas and strategies for making Malawi a nation resilient to disasters. It also provides a common direction to all government, non-governmental organisations, private sector organizations, media and development partners at national and local levels on how to effectively implement disaster risk management programmes and activities. I commend all stakeholders for their commitment in the development of this policy. This policy calls upon all sectors and stakeholders to pursue a proactive and integrated way of reducing risks to hazards through sustainable, innovative and realistic strategies with strong partnerships and networks. The government is committed to ensure implementation of the policy so as to significantly reduce the social, economic and environmental impacts of disasters in the country. It is, therefore, my sincere hope that all stakeholders in the country will align their activities towards this policy in order to ensure that resilience to disasters is built at national, local and community levels.
- ItemOpen AccessSendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030(2015-03-18) United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionThe Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 was adopted at the Third UN World Conference in Sendai, Japan, on March 18, 2015. It is the outcome of stakeholder consultations initiated in March 2012 and inter-governmental negotiations from July 2014 to March 2015, supported by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction at the request of the UN General Assembly. The Sendai Framework is the successor instrument to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. The HFA was conceived to give further impetus to the global work under the International Framework for Action for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction of 1989, and the Yokohama Strategy for a Safer World : Guidelines for Natural Disaster Prevention, Preparedness and Mitigation and its Plan of Action, adopted in 1994 and the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction of 1999. The Sendai Framework is built on elements which ensure continuity with the work done by States and other stakeholders under the HFA and introduces a number of innovations as called for during the consultations and negotiations. Many commentators have identified the most significant shifts as a strong emphasis on disaster risk management as opposed to disaster management, the definition of seven global targets, the reduction of disaster risk as an expected outcome, a goal focused on preventing new risk, reducing existing risk and strengthening resilience, as well as a set of guiding principles, including primary responsibility of states to prevent and reduce disaster risk, all-of-society and all-of-State institutions engagement. In addition, the scope of disaster risk reduction has been broadened significantly to focus on both natural and man-made hazards and related environmental, technological and biological hazards and risks. Health resilience is strongly promoted throughout. The Sendai Framework also articulates the following: the need for improved understanding of disaster risk in all its dimensions of exposure, vulnerability and hazard characteristics; the strengthening of disaster risk governance, including national platforms; accountability for disaster risk management; preparedness to “Build Back Better”; recognition of stakeholders and their roles; mobilization of risk-sensitive investment to avoid the creation of new risk; resilience of health infrastructure, cultural heritage and work-places; strengthening of international cooperation and global partnership, and risk-informed donor policies and programs, including financial support and loans from international financial institutions. There is also clear recognition of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and the regional platforms for disaster risk reduction as mechanisms for coherence across agendas, monitoring and periodic reviews in support of UN Governance bodies. UNISDR has been tasked to support the implementation, follow-up and review of the Sendai Framework.
- ItemOpen Access2019 Flood Response Appeal(Malawi Government Printing Press, 2019-03-01) Malawi GovernmentIn early March, a severe weather system formed off the eastern coast of Mozambique and hit Malawi with heavy rain accompanied by strong winds in before moving back to the Mozambique channel where it intensified into Cyclone Idai and then hit Malawi a second time. The heavy and persistent rain led to severe flooding across some districts in southern Malawi. More than 868,900 people have been affected, including more than 86,980 displaced, with 60 deaths and 672 injuries recorded according to the Government. In total, fifteen districts and 2 cities have been impacted. While Machinga and Zomba districts have been most affected, accounting for more than 29,000 affected households per district, Nsanje (18,000 households), Chikwawa (16,000 households) and Phalombe (22,848 households) recorded the highest number of displaced persons. Nsanje district recorded 17,400 IDPs (3,867 households); Phalombe recorded 5,526 IDPs (1,228 households). In 2015, Malawi was also affected by floods with close to 230,000 people were in IDP centres with an estimated 26,000 IDPs located outside centres/in hard to reach areas. The same districts, Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe and Zomba were the most affected. With agriculture being the main source of livelihood for the rural population in the country, the heavy rains and floods have impacted agricultural activities, as fields are inundated and recently planted crops have been destroyed. Ongoing post-flood assessments indicate the impact on people’s livelihoods. However, as agricultural production accounts for nearly one-third of Malawi’s GDP and about 80% of its export revenue, it is likely that the potential loss of harvest will impact their livelihoods in the medium and long-term. Women and children account over 60% of the displaced population and are likely to be more affected by the impact of the floods. About 70% of women in the affected districts are small scale farmers with the principal source of livelihood being agricultural production. It is therefore likely that the potential loss of harvest will have a greater impact on women and children. In Nsanje, the heavy rains and floods occurred in areas already experiencing a severe food insecurity situation. Approximately 37% of the population in the Extension Planning Area do not have food from their own production, and what existing crops have planted have been damaged or swept away by the flood. The Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee conducted an assessment in July 2018 which projected that 3,306,405 people (22% of the population) falling in IPC Phase 3 or worse, and would require humanitarian assistance for 2 to 6 months during the 2018/2019 consumption year.
- ItemOpen AccessDisaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation(United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2020-06-01) United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionThe Agenda 2030 calls for enhanced policy coherence for sustainable development. In response to this call, in sub-Saharan Africa, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is working on fostering policy coherence among two practices which are closely linked: Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). By generating more efficient and effective preparedness, response and recovery processes while making more efficient use of financial and human resources, policy coherence among DRR and CCA practices can contribute to a more sustainable development. Nonetheless, as DRR and CCA have been historically managed by different political processes and communities, the way to policy coherence is paved with challenges. Building upon the common aim of the Agenda 2030, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) and the Paris Agreement on climate change, to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience to the impact of disasters and climate change, the report proposes pathways for policy coherence in sub-Saharan Africa based on an analysis of policy documents. In light of the integration spectrum, the report proposes an approach to assess the level of integration - limited, partial or substantial - of the two fields in DRR and CCA policy documents in sub-Saharan Africa. Strategic, conceptual, institutional, operational and financial aspects were analyzed in DRR and CCA strategies from thirty-two (32) countries in the region out of the 44 countries covered by the UNDRR Regional Office for Africa (ROA). ▪ Strategic coherence: looks at whether DRR and CCA are explicitly addressed jointly or if there is an aim to strengthen the relationship and linkages between the two fields. ▪ Conceptual coherence: explores how countries link DRR and CCA conceptually, in particular through the concept of risk. ▪ Institutional coherence: analyses whether coordination between DRR and CCA is envisioned, and if and how institutional arrangements support coherence. ▪ Operational coherence: looks at measures, actions and activities which bring together DRR and CCA practices and to which extent planning is considered cross-sectoral. ▪ Financial coherence: explores whether and how funding strategies and investments bring together DRR and CCA. The analysis suggests that policy coherence is more incidental than structural. Integration of DRR and CCA in policy documents does not seem to be deliberately planned but inadvertent. Although there are conceptual elements which show a recognition of linkages between disasters and climate change, and operational elements which indicate overlapping activities, there is rarely an indication that these are the results of a collaborative process. In the absence of detailed cross-sectoral strategies, the level of collaboration in the design and implementation of activities cannot be assessed.
- ItemOpen AccessTropical Cyclone Freddy(Department of Disaster Management Affairs, 2023-03-11) Malawi GovernmentWith Tropical Cyclone Freddy gone, DCCMS indicates that normal rainy season weather conditions will now be experienced. On 13th March, a state of disaster was declared in the 14 districts that were severely affected by the cyclone. Emergency Operation Centre had been set up at the World Food Programme (WFP) offices in Limbe, Blantyre for effective and efficient coordination during the emergency response. Search and rescue of people is continuing in Nsanje and Phalombe districts where people are still believed to be trapped. With the help of sniffer dogs, the Search and Rescue team have recovered 24 bodies (14 bodies on 17th March and 10 bodies on 18th March, 2023) in Soche, Blantyre. Government has received international support in the area of search and rescue and various relief items. As of today, 18th March, 2023, 86,604 households have been displaced, while 445 people have died, 282 are missing, and 918 have sustained various injuries. Public infrastructure such as schools, health facilities, and district and main roads have been damaged in all affected districts. Government through Department of Disaster Management Affairs is coordinating and leading all humanitarian actors in the assessment of disaster impact and needs as well as provision relief assistance to the affected people. The most critical needs are search and rescue for those trapped by flood waters and killed by the mudslide; and the distribution of food and non-food items to the 362,928 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are currently residing in one of the 506 camps set up for those who have lost their homes and belongings.
- ItemOpen AccessMalawi Humanitarian Situation Report 01(2023-03-15) UNICEFAs of 12 March 2023, Malawi has registered 53,226 cholera cases and 1,634 deaths1. As of 26 February 2023, 3,444 children's cases and 219deaths among children have been reported cumulatively. The cumulative Case Fatality Rate (CFR) stands at 3.07 per cent, with the highest CFR of 4.76 per cent in Lilongwe and the lowest CFR in the Mzimba North District at 0.42 per cent. As of 15 March, as a result of floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Freddy in 11 districts in the southern region of Malawi, 326 people have lost their lives, 201 are missing, 796 have sustained various injuries, and 183,159 from 40,702 households have been displaced and seek shelter in 317 camps. Approximately 506,475 people, including 5,787 children under five, are affected by floods across 11 districts. Over 1.2 million people in 29 districts were provided safe water and infection prevention and control (IPC) supplies. Around 300 Cholera Treatment Units (CTUs) were provided essential cholera supplies, sanitation infrastructures, water supplies, and IPC supplies. Some 148,230 individuals (65,447 males and 82,783 females) received cholera messages through door-to-door interpersonal communication sessions. About 88,009 caregivers of children aged 0-23 months received counseling on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF). 38,152 children (21,742 girls and 16,410 boys) in safe spaces (children’s corners) were reached with messaging on cholera prevention and Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE) and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
- ItemOpen AccessMalawi: UN Releases US$5.5 million to assist communities ravaged by floods(Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 2023-03-23) United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian AffairsThe Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Martin Griffiths, has released US$5.5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to assist people affected by the Tropical Cyclone Freddy weather system in Malawi, as the devastating toll of floods and mudslides in the country’s Southern Region continues to rise.