The United Kingdom (UK) has given Malawi’s disaster response a boost by strengthening its disaster response capacity through a specialised training programme for local emergency responders.
Conducted from March 10 to 12 2026 at Bangula Humanitarian Staging Area in Nsanje District by the UK International Search and Rescue Team (UK Isar), the training equipped 20 frontline responders from Malawi’s Search and Rescue Cluster with practical skills in boat handling as well as flood rescue operations.
UK Isar facilitated the training in partnership with World Food Programme (WFP) and Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) to improve flood emergencies preparedness that frequently affect Malawi, particularly communities in the Lower Shire districts.
Besides the training, Staffordshire Emergency Services Humanitarian Aid Association, a UK charity also donated two inflatable rescue boats fitted with engines and personal flotation devices.
UK Isar national coordinator Russ Gauden expressed satisfaction with the progress Malawi has made in improving its flood response capacity.
He said: “With the full support of the British High Commission, FCDO [Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office] and the Emergency Deployment Team 2 programme, WFP, Dodma, Marine Police and other collaborative partners, it is evident the impact of the donated response systems and training is having on the preparedness of effective Search and Rescue and Coordination.”
Acting British High Commissioner Ben Nicholson said UK remained committed to helping Malawi strengthen its disaster preparedness.
In his remarks, Dodma commissioner Wilson Moleni described the training and equipment donation as a timely boost to Malawi’s disaster response efforts as climate-related hazards continue to intensify.
WFP country director Hyoung-Joon Lim said strong preparedness initiatives are essential to saving lives during flood events.
The initiative is part of a partnership between Malawi and the UK that began during Cyclone Freddy in 2023 when UK Isar team was deployed to support rescue operations alongside Malawi Defence Force and the national Search and Rescue Cluster.
