Malawi is making progress in addressing the rising threats of climate change and natural disasters, but experts stress the need for stronger collaboration among key stakeholders to improve climate and disaster risk financing.
With Malawi poised to begin the Global Shield In-Country Process, a move that will unlock technical and financial support for its climate resilience efforts, stakeholders are optimistic about the country’s growing capacity to protect its most vulnerable populations.
Speaking during a National Level Stakeholders’ Consultation and Coordination Meeting on Positioning Malawi Multi-Actor Partnerships (MAP) for Supporting Effective Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI), players from disaster and climate change sector emphasized the importance of aligning policies and fostering joint efforts to protect communities from climate-induced risks.
Julius Ng’oma, National Coordinator for the Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC), in an interview, highlighted the need for a unified strategy to combat climate change and disaster risk management in the country.
“As we address financing for climate change and disaster risk management, we see stakeholders working in different areas. But if we have a coordinated approach, we can make greater progress in supporting communities suffering from climate and disaster events,” Ng’oma said.
Ng’oma commended Malawi Government for establishing supportive policies such as the Disaster Risk Management Act and the Disaster Risk Financing Strategy but urged for further integration of frameworks like the Insurance Act to ensure a comprehensive approach.
“We still need clear guidance on advancing areas like insurance as part of disaster risk management. All stakeholders must be aligned for us to make significant progress,” he added.
In a separate interview, Patrick Ntingwi, Chief Meteorologist at the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services responsible for Climate, Climate Change and Research, echoed the concerns, emphasizing the need for the country to adopt comprehensive risk management strategies.
“When natural disasters occur, the government must ensure that, for instance, farmers are protected through proper risk management mechanisms. It’s crucial for Malawi to embrace risk management so that the country can benefit,” Ntingwi remarked.
He also underscored the need for long-term solutions like insurance to safeguard livelihoods and property.
“If there are droughts, for example, farmers should be covered so they can continue their agricultural activities,” Ntingwi explained.
The meeting also provided a platform to assess progress on the Malawi MAP for CDRFI, launched in 2023.
The Global Shield will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to promote poverty-focused and gender-responsive climate and disaster risk financing policies, aiming to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities.
By aligning efforts with the Global Shield In-Country Process, Malawi is positioning itself to access critical international support to enhance its climate resilience.
The meeting was organized under the MAP Program on CDRFI, which is being implemented by CISONECC with financial support from the Government of Germany, in collaboration with CARE Germany and CARE Malawi.
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