For Monica Pio, a Form Four student at Ngabu Secondary School in Chikwawa District, disasters are never too far away.
Like many learners in the vast floodplain along the Shire River, recurring floods, heatwaves and storms constantly disrupt her schooling, sense of security and peace of mind.
“Since I joined Form One in 2022, I have experienced several disasters, especially floods that washed away everything I had,” says the 16-year-old girl.
Last year, massive floods hit Ngabu and surrounding villages, almost submerging at her school’s girls’ hostel.
The flooding left Monica and her classmates stranded, with notebooks, textbooks, clothes and other essentials underwater.
“When I remember that day, I ask myself: What if another disaster happens? What if I lose everything again,” she wonders.
Monica’s fears are not unfounded.
Ngabu, a low-lying spot in the Shire Valley, is one of the country’s most disaster-prone zones.
The floodplain experienced devastating flooding induced by El Nino in 2015 and chronic cyclones, including Idai in 2019, Ana and Gombe in 2022 and Freddy in 2023.
Ngabu Secondary School deputy head teacher Robert Mwale says disasters that have become more frequent and devastating with climate change make teaching and learning challenging for the school that enrols about 340 students.
He says recurring disasters haunt both teachers and learners.
“We go to bed not knowing what tomorrow will bring. When it rains heavily, we worry about our homes, students’ safety and their learning. When dry spells kick in, we worry about food and water supply,” Mwale says.
However, adversity is the mother of innovation.
Together with her schoolmates and teachers, Monica is learning the dos and don’ts to effectively prepare for disasters and respond to emergencies that disrupt their education and livelihoods.
Save the Children is piloting the standard operating procedure in emergency under the Climate-Smart Education Systems Strengthening Initiative funded by Global Partnership for Education.
The initiative aims at making schools in disaster-prone zones safer, inclusive and more resilient.
Save the Children senior technical adviser in education and child development Anderson Moyo said: “Frequent disasters in Malawi has had a devastating impact on children’s education. Every time a disaster strikes, learning is disrupted. Schools close, books are lost, and children’s morale drops. So, our goal is to ensure that education continues even in the face of adversity.”
The change agents train learners how to respond to common emergencies such as floods, heatwaves, earthquakes, fire outbreaks and water stress.
“By doing this, we’re not only protecting student’s lives but also their right to learn,” Moyo says.
Monica says she now knows what to do before, during and after disasters.
“We know how to keep our things safe and how to help each other out. With this knowledge, I can protect myself and others,” she says.
Teachers say the life-saving tips have come at right time, prompting both teachers and students to stay alert and protect themselves during disasters.
“The initiative helps to reduce panic and give everyone a sense of preparedness,” Mwale explains.
Chikwawa district principal education officer Chipiliro Zayenga says the district’s schools bear the worst impact of disasters, often housing displaced families.
“When schools house flood survivors, teaching and learning stop immediately. This programme helps us build resilience so that education doesn’t have to come to a standstill every time disasters strike,” she said.
From cyclones to droughts, disasters have left indelible scars on communities.
For students, these extreme events translate into missed school days, psychological trauma and long recovery periods.
Yet, for Monica, there is a renewed sense of determination and security.
The teenager, who wants to become an environmental scientist, bills education the only way out of poverty and vulnerability.
“I want to help communities like mine find ways to live safely, even when disasters come,” she says.
Malawi is reeling from climate-induced disasters that have cost the fragile economy about $1.19 billion (about K2.1 trillion) from 2015 and 2023, according to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs.
Government’s assessment in the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy, which affected over 2.2 million people, estimated the loss and damage at $506.7 million (about K887billion).
The report shows Malawi requires $680.4 million (about K1.2 trillion) for recovery and reconstruction.
The cyclone displaced 659 278 people, with 679 confirmed dead and 530 declared missing.
The worst impact was felt in the housing sector, with about 260 681 homes damaged.
