The Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) has called for stronger community–government engagement as a critical step toward building climate and disaster resilience in Malawi, saying effective responses must be informed by realities at the grassroots level.
CISONECC made the call during a national interface meeting that brought together community leaders and government representatives to discuss climate change impacts and policy gaps identified through the Climate Just Communities Project, funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Justice Fund.
In an interview, Julius Ng’oma, CISONECC national coordinator, said communities are the first to experience the effects of climate change, yet their voices are often weakly reflected in decision-making processes.
“For Malawi to become resilient to climate change and disasters, communities must be fully engaged with government at all levels. Resilience starts at the community level and then moves up to the district councils and national level. Without listening to communities, policies risk missing the real issues people are facing,” said
Ng’oma said the interface meeting was deliberately designed to allow community representatives to speak directly to duty bearers about challenges emerging from their daily experiences.
“We are creating spaces where communities can confidently articulate what they want government to do. This kind of dialogue helps ministries hear the issues for themselves and consider how policy and programs can respond more effectively,” he said.
According to Ng’oma, community representatives raised concerns related to disaster risk management, climate adaptation, water, sanitation and hygiene, education and gender, issues that require coordinated action across ministries and departments.
“These are cross-sectoral issues. You cannot talk about resilience in isolation. It must cut across all sectors if we are serious about reducing climate impacts and building a resilient nation,” he added.
Government officials attending the meeting said such engagement helps identify gaps in existing interventions and improves alignment between policy and community needs.
Hanke Ndau, a Department of Disaster Management Affairs resilience officer, said the interfaces allow government to assess what is working and where improvements are needed.
“These kinds of discussions are very important because they show us what is working and what is not working. They help us trace our steps, identify gaps and see areas that need improvement as we pursue our national development goals,” said Ndau.
Ndau added that government was encouraged by positive examples shared by communities, including voluntary relocation from high-risk areas and initiatives to restore forests and natural landscapes.
Ndau said addressing these challenges requires collaboration among government, civil society organizations and communities themselves.
“If communities across the country took such cautious approaches to disaster risk management, the suffering caused by disasters would be greatly reduced.
“At the same time, we have also heard requests for improved services, particularly in water and sanitation, which we acknowledge remain a challenge. We cannot do this alone. Working together at institutional, community and household levels is the only way we can effectively respond to the challenges being presented,” he said.
Community members’ representatives said the interface meeting strengthened their understanding of both their rights and responsibilities in addressing climate change.
Esmie Lingson, from Senior Chief Ngokwe of Machinga District and an area development committee member, said the engagement highlighted the importance of active community participation.
Lingson said the meeting reassured communities that government is committed to addressing climate change-related challenges.
“We have learned that community members need to take part in various activities that help protect our environment. We have also learned that we have the right to reach out to government officials, NGOs and civil society organizations when we need assistance.
“When I go back to my community, I will share what I have learned and encourage people to play their role, especially in forest restoration,” she said.
The CJC project is being implemented by DAI Global UK in seven districts namely Salima, Karonga, Balaka, Zomba, Neno, Phalombe, and Chikwawa.
DAI has partnered with Malawi Government, Civil Society Network on Climate Change, The Link Community Development, CADECOM Karonga, Centre for Integrated Community Development, Evangelical Lutheran Development Service, Water Aid, Water Witness, Organization for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development Initiative