Malawi - After the Storm
- hnoppers2
- May 3, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 30, 2024
We arrived in Malawi on March 11 – anxiously but nervously looking forward to joining in the relief effort and responding to the destruction left behind by Tropical Storm Ana. The region was just starting to recover from the effects - and the needs were great. But the same day that we arrived, another tropical storm – Cyclone Gombe – was making its way across Mozambique and heading for Malawi. This caused additional flooding, damage, and loss of life. Some that had sought refuge in displacement camps after the initial storms in January were now once again being displaced. It’s difficult to imagine the personal trauma this repeated devastation must cause. The most recent assessments indicate that 995,000 Malawians have been impacted by the floods, and over 190,000 people have been displaced from their homes – finding shelter in schools, churches, tents, and other temporary structures.
In addition to the government response, there are many NGO’s at work here in the Chikwawa region. There is a significant effort underway to ensure projects are well coordinated in order to avoid replication, and to identify where the greatest needs exist. It’s been very interesting for us to see how the various humanitarian clusters work together – and how that is all coordinated at a district level by a District Executive Committee and various sub committees. They are able to respond incredibly quickly. In a recent example – a request for review of our project to the District Civil Protection Committee – one of the necessary steps to formal project approval – was acknowledged by the District office on a Sunday afternoon – and the meeting was scheduled, the venue booked, and the invitations extended - all that that same evening. The meeting took place at 9:00 AM on Monday morning. Let’s see you accomplish that in less than 24 hours and over a weekend with any government department in North America!
In our first update we indicated that our project would be providing emergency food relief for 1,500 households in 3 displacement camps. As we completed the beneficiary registration process, we discovered that the average household size in these camps was significantly smaller than what was anticipated. It became apparent that the food basket we were providing – which was designed for a family of 6 – would meet more than the needs of the 1,500 households we were initially planning for. We were able to quickly work with our local partner – Eagles Relief and Development Programme – to identify additional camps in need of support. The project has now been expanded in terms of coverage – and will provide 3 consecutive monthly food distributions to 2,195 households in 5 camps – a total of 8,642 people.
Prior to implementing a project, World Renew establishes an effective monitoring and evaluation plan to allow for an objective assessment as to whether or not the project has been successful in delivering its objective. For this project, that would include conducting a base line survey, to calculate the Food Consumption Score (FCS) and the Reduced Coping Strategy Index (r-CSI) – both measures of household food security levels. This was accomplished through conducting a survey of approximately 15% of the households in the camp, and was completed by using enumerators with hand held survey devices and visiting and speaking to individuals in each camp. The enumerators hired by our partner were recent university graduates, fluent in both English and Chichewa (the local language). What a pleasure to be able to work with these bright, young, committed aspiring leaders. A second survey will be completed at the end of the project.
Enumerator Training |
We have been working within the existing structure of each camp to establish committees , consisting of 10 people – with a minimum of 5 female members. These committee members have been trained to assist in food distributions and community complaint monitoring and resolution. The committee members assume a high degree of responsibility in organizing and implementing each distribution.
Our first food distribution took place on April 20, at the Chapomoka Camp, and then continued on over the next 4 days at Tiyanjane, Kanseche, Samson, and Mthumba camps. We were very concerned that the continuing rains might prevent access into some of these remote camps, as roads continued to be washed away. However, despite overcast conditions and the forecast of showers, the rain held off – until quite literally 10 minutes after the final distribution was complete – when the skies opened up and the downpour started. God was smiling on us that week!
Although our project is relatively small in scale, and the needs in Malawi are overwhelming, it is very gratifying to see the smiles on faces of those few that we’re able to assist. Their appreciation is very evident – and the smiles are such a huge reward for us.
We revisited the camps in the week after the first distribution – circling back with the committees and looking for feedback on successes and opportunities related the distribution itself, as well as any other feedback that could make the process more effective. We now have a short time to process that feedback, and to regroup and get ready for the next distribution – which starts the week of May 16. But we also have a chance for a bit of a rest – a pause to enjoy the amazing natural beauty of this incredible country. We’re preparing this update from the beautiful shores of Lake Malawi – a truly awesome place!
While it’s encouraging to be able to respond to the most urgent of needs that have arisen as a result of the tropical storms and flooding, we’re now hearing about the recovery needs – as people start to return to their villages and attempt to rebuild what was lost. There are many challenges that are yet to be addressed. It’s great to hear that World Renew is also interested in responding to those challenges, and have started to ask – what’s next?
Wonderful to read that things are going well. Oh..those smiling children!