VIEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE

Malawi

We’re working with 15 communities in Malawi to ensure that development is informed by the perspectives of people most at risk.

912

Random household surveys

150

Civil society surveys

150

Local government surveys

Key findings and conclusions at the national level

  • The impacts of climate change are high in the communities
  • A lack of an enabling environment to reduce risks increases impacts on the lives and livelihood of women in particular
  • People with disabilities and the elderly are excluded from DRR processes due to a lack of accessibility and information
  • There is a lack of community participation in government-led processes for DRR

Surveys undertaken in Malawi

Our Views from the Frontline surveys in Malawi were undertaken in 2019.

Who was surveyed?

We surveyed 912 random households, 150 civil society organisations, 150 local government representatives, and undertook 77 community consultations.

Risk locations prioritised

We prioritised four risk areas:

  • Nsanje
  • Chikwawa
  • Phalombe
  • Lilongwe

Communities surveyed

We surveyed people from 15 communities: Bangula, Nsanje Boma, Sojeni, Chipoka, Nchalo, Chapananga, Thabwa, Masenjate, Bukosi, Nambili, Sukasanje, Chinsapo, Kauma, Ngwangwa and N’gona.

“I should not lie, the government, CSOs and many other officials are all aware of the challenges that we face in this community: mainly flooding here in Nsanje. The challenge is to come up with an action plan that people will gladly accept and own it, it’s a challenge indeed.”

Doreen Kalemba, Bangula, Nsanje

Our impact

Activities undertaken in response to community-level findings and conclusions

  • Reduced the negative impacts of climate change on community farmlands and enhanced drought resilience of crops through improved soil moisture, fertility, and partial shade
  • Conducted awareness meetings with stakeholders on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in DRR activities
  • Strengthened community policies with the support of local authorities
  • Promoted small-scale businesses in order to improve the livelihoods of communities during a disasters

Impact of activities

  • Community members, particularly people with disabilities, are included in assessment, planning, implementation, and monitoring of risk reduction plans and disaster management activities
  • Awareness and involvement of communities in crop resilience activities, leading to improved soil quality and crop yield
  • Strengthened the role of community leaders, including people with disabilities, in forming community-level policies and identification of better livelihood options

Our project partners in Malawi

Our Views from the Frontline programme is implemented by GNDR member organisations and partners in the country.

National coordinating organisation

  • E-life Malawi

Partner organisations

  • Imagine africa
  • Good Health
  • Badilika foundation
  • Ucom

View all data from Malawi

You can view all our Views from the Frontline survey data using our data dashboard. You can also learn more about our methodology for selecting at-risk areas and survey respondents.

Project funded by

European Union

Our Views from the Frontline project is funded by the European Union (EU). Content related to this project on our website was made possible by the support of the EU. All content is the sole responsibility of GNDR and does not necessarily reflect the views of the EU.

View their website

Photo credit

Photo by HomeMedia/GNDR.