Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) has commended communities in Blantyre and Phalombe for their active involvement in anticipatory interventions aimed at strengthening resilience against climate and disaster-related shocks.
The interventions were implemented under the Enable Effective Disaster Risk Management through Systems for Inter-agency Anticipatory Action (ECHO DRIMIAA) project, which utilizes a multi-hazard and multi-sectoral approach to disaster preparedness.
Speaking during the project review meeting in Blantyre on Thursday, MRCS Director of Programs Leonard Maganga disclosed that the Society disbursed K100 million in cash transfers to 13 selected community groups across the two districts.
He said the funds supported various local infrastructure projects, including the construction of waterways and bridges, road rehabilitation, waterway excavation, and house maintenance for vulnerable households.
“The main impact of the project has been the community’s acceptance and the sustainability of the different initiatives introduced to them. So far, we are satisfied with the tangible assets which communities have created in these districts,” he said.
Phalombe District Disaster Risk Management Officer, Florence Harawa, commended the MRCS for empowering local groups to lead disaster mitigation efforts to ensure that the interventions remain effective and sustainable long after the project’s formal conclusion.
Harawa highlighted that Phalombe has seen significant improvements in its resilience to natural disasters due to the project’s inclusivity and focus on long-term local expertise.
“The project included people with disabilities in road and bridge rehabilitation and built community capacity to understand and manage disaster risks,” she said.
Loney Supuni, chairperson of the Chitsanzo Group Cash Transfer in Phalombe, said communities now understand the need to participate in anticipatory actions to mitigate the recurring impact of floods in the area.
She noted that the K6.5 million grant received by the group was utilized to implement vital resilience initiatives, such as road maintenance, drainage rehabilitation, and dike construction, which benefited many people, including those with disabilities.
During the meeting, the MRCS awarded certificates of recognition to the Phalombe and Blantyre districts, Blantyre City, and the participating community groups.
Launched in 2024, the ECHO DRIMIAA project is scheduled to conclude this February. The project was funded by European Union Humanitarian Aid to the tune of K700 million and implemented by a consortium of partners comprising of Malawi Red Cross Society, World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organization FAO and the Danish Red Cross.