Stakeholders in Malawi’s climate and disaster risk financing sector have called for improved coordination and inclusivity to ensure effective access and utilization of funds under the Global Shield initiative.
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Speaking at a Malawi MAP for CDRFI Consultation Meeting on Global Shield Stock Taking Process on Friday in Lilongwe, Charles Chinkhuntha, Deputy Director of Planning in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, revealed that Malawi is among the pathfinder countries set to benefit from Global Shield’s climate risk financing.
However, he stressed that effective coordination is necessary to fully utilize the resources, ensuring that funds are distributed efficiently among most vulnerable communities while aligning with national climate resilience strategies.
“The government has put in place several platforms and structures to coordinate stakeholders. Now, it’s about ensuring that we work together efficiently to access and implement climate risk financing effectively. We must streamline our efforts, reduce redundancy, and engage all relevant sectors, including the private sector, civil society, and local communities, to create a sustainable financing model that benefits everyone,” he said.
Chinkhuntha assured stakeholders that the current approach includes a dedicated Climate and Disaster Risk Financing desk within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs staffed with experts tasked with facilitating smooth access to financing, liaising with international donors, and expediting response measures to ensure that resources reach affected communities without unnecessary bureaucratic delays.
Despite the existing coordination structures, Julius Ng’oma, National Coordinator of the Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC), emphasized that gaps in coordination have historically hindered progress in implementing climate and disaster risk financing initiatives.
Ng’oma stressed that proper coordination mechanisms, like those promoted under the Multi-Actor Partnerships (MAP) approach, are crucial in aligning efforts and ensuring that funding reaches the intended beneficiaries.
“Coordination is always an issue in many forums. We have seen challenges in the way different projects are developed and implemented. Through our programs, with support from the German government and CARE, we are working towards strengthening coordination mechanisms that will ensure vulnerable communities receive the support they need,” Ng’oma said.
Ng’oma further highlighted that CISONECC, through its InsuResilience MAPs Project, has been working to enhance collaboration among civil society organizations, government agencies, and financial institutions to improve the effectiveness of disaster risk financing.
He stressed that learning from past experiences and adopting best practices from international frameworks would be essential in ensuring Malawi’s climate resilience efforts are sustainable.
Meanwhile, Victor Mughogho, Executive Director of Eagles Relief and Development Programme International hailed the consultation as a positive step toward strengthening Malawi’s climate resilience.
CISONECC’s goal, as outlined in the Malawi MAP for CDRFI, is to provide a structured platform for dialogue, research, and policy advocacy on climate and disaster risk financing. The network seeks to build community resilience by promoting evidence-based, gender-responsive, and poverty-focused solutions to climate challenges.
“Bringing stakeholders together to deliberate on a single issue raises the profile of climate risk financing, encourages greater adoption, and ensures that financing mechanisms reflect the realities on the ground,” said Mughogho.
The meeting also highlighted the need for an inclusive climate financing approach that directly benefits vulnerable communities, and stakeholders also called for continued engagement to assess progress and refine strategies for effective disaster risk management.
The Global Shield against Climate Risks, launched at COP27 in 2022, is a global initiative aimed at enhancing financial protection against climate disasters, particularly for vulnerable countries.
The initiative is spearheaded by the G7 and V20 nations and seeks to mobilize financial resources and technical assistance to build climate resilience.
In Malawi, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs is leading the Global Shield In-Country Process, working in collaboration with the University of Malawi and CISONECC to conduct a national stock-take on climate and disaster risk financing.
The initiative aims to assess existing mechanisms, identify gaps, and develop strategies to enhance financial resilience against climate risks.
CISONECC is implementing the InsuResilience Multi-Actor Partnership (MAP) Program on Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI), supported by the Government of Germany through CARE International and CARE Malawi.
The project aims to strengthen multi-actor partnerships to improve coordination and capacity-building for climate risk financing.
