back to top

Delayed regulations stall full implementation of Malawi’s disaster risk law

Published on:

Share post:

As Malawi approaches the next disaster season, the effectiveness of its legal tools to manage and reduce risks hangs in the balance, awaiting the political will to turn policy into protection.

Two years after the enactment of Malawi’s Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Act, stakeholders have raised alarm over persistent delays in finalizing the regulations necessary to operationalize the law, warning that the slow pace could undermine national efforts to reduce disaster risks and protect vulnerable communities.

This concern was at the heart of a high-level National Stakeholders’ Meeting on Climate and Disaster Risk Management, held on Friday at Mponela in Dowa District.

In an interview, Julius Ng’oma, National Coordinator for Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC), emphasized that while the DRM Act, passed in 2023, was a major legislative achievement, its potential is being hampered by the absence of finalized regulations.

Ng’oma: It defeats the purpose of the law if regulations aren’t completed

“Two years down the line, if we don’t have these regulations completed, it defeats the purpose of having the law in place. Communities continue to suffer because we cannot fully implement the provisions of the Act without the necessary regulatory framework,” said Ng’oma.

Ng’oma also noted that although progress has been made on aspects such as the Disaster Risk Management Trust Fund and demarcation of high-risk areas, the regulations remain stuck at the Ministry of Justice.

He urged the government to expedite the process to ensure that the country is adequately prepared for future disasters.

Fedson Chikuse, Deputy Director for Disaster Preparedness at the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), acknowledged the concerns but said the Act is relatively new and emphasized the need for careful development of the regulations to avoid misinterpretation or misuse.

Chikuse: We’re drafting the regulations section by section

“We are going through the Act section by section, drafting regulations to guide its full operationalization. For example, in areas designated as unsafe for settlement, we need clear guidelines to enforce these provisions properly. That process takes time, but some parts of the law are already functional,” he said.

The meeting also highlighted strong calls for enhanced coordination between government ministries and development partners, improved public awareness of the DRM Act through targeted communication efforts, and an urgent, clearly defined timeline for finalizing and implementing the outstanding regulations.

The stakeholders argue that time is a luxury Malawi cannot afford, especially as the country faces increasingly severe and frequent climate-induced disasters such as floods, droughts, and cyclones.

The meeting brought together representatives from civil society, government, and development partners, and was conducted by CISONECC with support from Trocaire, CARE Malawi, DAI Global UK, and Oxfam Malawi.


Discover more from Nthanda Times

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Sosten Mpinganjira
Sosten Mpinganjirahttps://nthandatimes.com
Sosten Mpinganjira is a news reporter with a track record of delivering timely and accurate news stories. With vast experience working with renowned news electronic, press, and online outlets, he has honed his reporting skills and has a deep understanding of the media landscape. He has a knack for delivering breaking news with accuracy and insight. He is dedicated to keeping his readers informed about current events and trends that shape our world.

Related articles

Invest in youth innovations that focus on climate change-Young activists

Youths in the country have challenged the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP29) Summit to be held from 11th...

CSOs urge government to expedite finalization of NAP

Civil society organizations in Malawi are calling on the government to fast-track the finalization of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to strengthen disaster preparedness and incorporate sustainable solutions like agroecology.

Natural disasters derailing gains Malawi has made

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) says Malawi has not fully recovered from natural disasters and calamities...

Teethsavers support Machinga cyclone survivors 

Teethsavers International on Saturday donated various items to people that were affected by Cyclone Freddy in areas of Traditional authorities (T/A's) of Nyumwanyumwa and Mposa  in Machinga. 

Discover more from Nthanda Times

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading