MHRC Engages Nkhotakota Players

The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has urged Council Members in Nkhotakota to embrace Climate Monitoring Tools designed to track human rights issues during and after climate change-induced disasters.

Speaking Wednesday during a three-day capacity building workshop at Kabira Beach Resort in the district, MHRC Deputy Director for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Lucius Pendame, said the tools aim to mitigate human right violations in times of disaster, particularly among vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, the elderly, women and children.

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The workshop was supported by the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP).

Pendame explained that the tools will help identify gaps in protection and response during climate-related disasters and empower communities and institutions to act on evidence through human rights-based programming.

“After observing that Nkhotakota is one of the districts that was hit hard by floods which affected many people in terms of their rights, we thought it wise to develop monitoring tools to assist key players in detecting and preparing for such disasters,” said Pendama.

Godfrey Chibudula, from Mvula Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Mphonde, who was affected by the 2024 flash floods, noted persistent challenges in early warning systems and disaster response.

“One of the areas we lag behind as a district is early warning. Communities, especially those in disaster-prone areas, need timely alerts to take preventive action. Response efforts also tend to be selective and delayed,” he said.

Nkhotakota District Council Risk and Disaster Management Officer, Romatchinga Nkhata, said the Council has strengthened its preparedness, prevention, and response measures, with priority given to areas most affected by disasters.

She added that the Climate Monitoring Tools will help address human rights concerns during and after disaster.

At least 7,000 people were displaced and eight others died during the 2024 climate-induced floods in Nkhotakota.