Malawi Red Cross Society has underscored the importance of equipping communities in disaster-prone districts with effective anticipatory action approaches to build their resilience against climate change-induced disasters.
Under the Disaster Risk Management and Integrated Anticipatory Action Project, Red Cross has empowered communities in traditional authorities (T/As) Kaduya and Kaledzera in Phalombe and T/A Kapeni in Blantyre to prepare for disasters.
Red Cross has also implemented initiatives such as road rehabilitation, low-cost bridge construction as well as maintaining houses for people with disabilities in the flood-prone areas.
On Wednesday, the organisation conducted a workshop to discuss lessons learnt under the project in Blantyre.
In his remarks, Malawi Red Cross Society director of programmes Leonard Maganga highlighted the importance of community empowerment in effective anticipatory action as a disaster risk management approach.
He said: “Since April 2024, we have implemented this project to ensure that people have capacity to take action before disasters occur. We witnessed overwhelming participation even in urban communities such as Ndirande in Blantyre. This shows people accepted the approach.
“The groups were shortlisted after submitting attractive proposals about inclusive anticipatory action initiatives they could implement.”
Phalombe district disaster risk management officer Florence Harawa said the project has helped to remedy the impact of harsh weather conditions.
On her part, Red Cross Blantyre project officer Priscilla Chikwanda said people focused on flood mitigation.
Red Cross implemented the project in partnership with the Government of Malawi, Danish Red Cross, World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organisation with funds from the European Union.
