Community Development Resilience
Local governance and climatic, natural hazard and environmental risks
Local Governance
Decentralization efforts in Malawi recognize the role and importance of Village Development Committees (VDCs) and Area Development Committees (ADCs) within the district development planning processes. These committees identify development challenges in the community, suggest solutions and work with the district council and other stakeholders to implement them. They are the primary structures that enable local governments to work toward the achievement of child rights and the effective implementation of the SDGs. These district structures need to be oriented to effectively carry out their duties. UNICEF, through the Community Development Resilience section, will work with the Government of Malawi to strengthen the functionality of these governance structures.
Climatic, Natural Hazard and Environmental Risks
Malawi has endured several disasters, both natural and human-induced, including floods, drought, torrential rains, strong winds, hailstorms, landslides, earthquakes, pest infestations, disease outbreaks, fire and accidents. The intensity and frequency of disasters has increased as a result of climate change, population growth, urbanization and environmental degradation. Disasters destroy people’s livelihoods, endanger food security, damage infrastructure and hinder socio-economic growth and development. Disasters often leave rural and urban households poverty-stricken and erode the ability of the government and the private sector to invest in key social sectors. It is essential to mitigate the risk of disaster for the good of Malawi’s socio-economic development.
Climate change presents significant concerns for Malawi given much of the built and natural environment is already vulnerable to climate variability, including droughts and floods. Heavy rainfall has exacerbated soil erosion in areas that have experienced deforestation. Rainfall has also increased sediment loads in waterways and reservoirs. Forests are likely to be impacted by climate change because the increased frequency of extreme temperature and precipitation events, as well as forest fires and an increase in pest infestation and disease. These issues will have ripple effects on household livelihoods and biodiversity. Higher temperatures, severe storms and unseasonal rainfall are widely seen as Malawi’s new normal. This, along with poor management of the environment, poses a major risk to food security, health, nutrition, economic growth and the cost of living. Given current trends and forecasts, there is a high likelihood that climate change will accelerate and continue to threaten human development in Malawi.