Scientific information: A tool for effective

community preparedness against disasters

Tchaka KamangaProgram Officer (DRR)Christian Aid, Malawi

Outline of the Presentation

• Common Disasters in Malawi• Some underlying factors

(Vulnerability)• Innovation by Christian Aid.

• What, when and how?

• Results • Recommendations

Common Disasters in MalawiCommon Disasters in Malawi

http://www.preventionweb.net/english/countries/statistics/

Community vulnerabilityCommunity vulnerability

Climate/weather Variability and lack of information on

its trend

Provision of reliable information for effective preparation

POVERTY

Resilient livelihoods that also ensure economic empowerment

Weather information for effective preparation: Type and Process……

This overall information helps community members to plan: •What to grow•When to plant•What agricultural practices to follow•How to maintain their houses and other structures•What economic activities to engage in

Weather information for effective preparation: Type and Process……

Weather information for effective preparation: Type and process……

Community members

Department of Climate Change and Meteorological

Services

Christian Aid

Community Volunteers

Community Volunteers

Community Volunteers

Information flow……

ESOKO

Through Village Civil Protection Committees, the entire communities in specific districts are regularly informed of how weather unfolds through 5-day weather forecasts. This complements seasonal forecast for daily planning against any possible disasters.

Ground dissemination is done through:•Forwarding of text massages•Announcements in any community meetings•Voicing around communities•Pasting written posts in strategic places for public viewing

Weather information for effective preparation: Process……

The dissemination of the weather information has led to appropriate community preparedness•Maintenance of house structures•Watch out for floods and plan accordingly•watch- out for dry spells and plan accordingly•Watch-out for rain recession and plan accordingly•Watch out for planting rains and plan accordingly•Watch out for strong winds and plan accordingly

Results……

…Results

• No loss of lives in areas where this system is in place. This is in spite of some structures being destroyed following heavy rains.

• Improved yields despites some dry spells

• Luciano finds a weather advisor in a cell phone

Conclusion and recommendation#Through SCIENCE, we have come to know and believe that climate is

changing##Through science, we are able to link some DISASTERS to CLIMATE

CHANGE##Therefore, through science, communities can complement their

indigenous knowledge and prepare more efficiently and effectively against the impending disasters#

WE therefore need to invest in ensuring that scientific information relating to ANY hazards (droughts/dry spells, floods, earthquakes, cyclones etc) and disasters is made available at community levels and in a language they can understand

THE INVESTMENT MUST BE TODAY FOR A SAFER TOMORROW!

Investing in science-based

Community Early Warning Systems