Setting the Stage: Community Resilience
The lives of many Malawians are repeatedly threatened by cyclones and natural disasters, amplified by climate change. Droughts, floods, and hunger threaten their livelihoods, but hope is not lost. From 2022, cyclones Ana, Gombe, and this year Freddy have further emphasized the urgency of building community resilience. CARE International in Malawi is actively working to empower rural communities through disaster risk management and climate change adaptation. With the right resources and support, these communities can become more resilient and better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. This blog post outlines some key learnings from our efforts to build the capacity of Village Civil Protection Committees (VCPCs) in resource mobilization, and also delves deeper into the significance of fostering self-reliance, community-led initiatives, and the potential of youth involvement in this critical mission.
The CARE International-led Titukulane project is transforming the way communities prepare for and respond to disasters. By promoting Disaster Risk Management (DRM), individual and household planning, alongside community visioning, the project nurtures self-reliance and encourages rural communities to proactively address their needs. This forward-looking approach is essential for achieving food security and resilience amid ever-present climate threats.
Village Civil Protection Committees (VCPCs): A Force for Change:
VCPCs are changing the game in disaster risk management at the community level. With limited resources, they have successfully supported 40 community members affected by natural disasters, demonstrating that they can be trusted with more significant responsibilities as they recognize their own needs. This shift contrasts with past practices, where communities were seen primarily as record-keepers and report submitters, awaiting government relief. However, limited funding and support can hamper their ability to function optimally. The government and other partners must consider allocating resources to district and national level DRM structures to supplement these community efforts. This can be achieved by developing targeted funding programs, providing technical assistance, and training, or establishing public-private partnerships to support and enhance community-based DRM initiatives. In piloting the National Resilience Strategy, Titukulane has focused on building the capacity of VCPCs in resource mobilization by conducting trainings for 378 VCPCs in Zomba and Mangochi districts, offering mentorship, and supporting them in operationalizing resource mobilization activities within their communities. However, this approach needs to be scaled up in other districts, particularly in natural disaster hotspots, to increase the anticipatory capacity of DRM structures.
Livelihoods Matter: Strengthening Economic Empowerment
Economic empowerment plays a crucial role in building community resilience. By providing meaningful livelihood opportunities, community members can actively contribute more towards disaster response efforts and increase their resilience to shocks and stresses. Collaboration between the government and partners is essential to improve the economic environment and create sustainable livelihoods.
For instance, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) empower communities by promoting saving habits and providing accessible credit, boosting their capacity to cope with disasters. Additionally, Titukulane's linkage to agriculture markets with favourable prices showcases how connecting community members to vibrant and sustainable markets can strengthen their resilience towards disasters and other shocks. Some Village Civil Protection Committees (VCPCs) have also started farming as collectives to raise funds. By linking these collectives and individual community members to reliable markets, the government can support their efforts to become more resilient in the face of disasters. Such combination of strategies has the potential to transform into robust disaster preparedness initiatives.
Engaging the Youth: Empowering the Next Generation for Community Resilience
Youth play a vital role in increasing community anticipatory capacity. By providing disaster risk management training and engaging them in activities like Theatre for Development (TfD), Titukulaneempowers youth to mobilize resources and contribute to decision-making processes. TfD enables youth to participate in community conversations, raise awareness on DRM issues, and generate income through their performances.
We have seen how youth participation, especially facilitating civic dialogue through TfD performances led by youth clubs, has influenced community members to contribute to their response funds. This active involvement not only encourages resource mobilization but also gives the youth a more prominent role in decision-making processes for DRM. Such youth-led initiatives are crucial in fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience in the face of disasters.
Women as a Driving Force Behind Resource Mobilization:
In Zomba and Mangochi districts, women have emerged as the driving force behind resource mobilization, largely due to their presence in various social spaces and the cultural setup in Malawi. Resource mobilization has long been a part of Malawian culture, with women traditionally taking the lead in, for example, collecting foodstuffs like maize flour during funeral periods. This practice has now been extended to support victims of natural disasters, as communities draw from the spirit of Ubuntu and use their collective power to facilitate disaster preparedness initiatives.
To replicate this community-driven resource mobilization model, led by women, communities have identifed and engaged women who are active in various social spaces and have the potential to mobilize their communities. The resource mobilization training, that Titukulane provides, strengthens women’s resource mobilization skills, focusing on strategies tailored to their specific cultural contexts. Involvement in multiple interventions empowers women and builds on their unique skills and knowledge through targeted capacity-building programs that encompass leadership development, financial literacy, and disaster preparedness and response planning. Equipping women with these skills, enables them to effectively drive community-led initiatives and contribute to building a strong foundation for disaster preparedness and response. This, in turn, ensures that communities are better equipped to handle shocks and stresses in the future.
Disaster Preparedness Building on a Cultural Foundation:
Echoing the resource mobilization practices ingrained in Malawian culture, the same communities that have mobilized resources for funerals are now actively involved in disaster response efforts. They are harnessing their existing experience and knowledge to create innovative solutions for disaster preparedness. The willingness of communities to adapt and expand on their traditional practices showcases their resilience and determination to face the challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters.
In one inspiring example, a community in Mangochi demonstrated their commitment to disaster preparedness by mobilizing resources to construct a warehouse. Their desire was that this multi-purpose space would not only stores relief items but also serve as an evacuation centre when disasters strike. This example highlights the immense potential of community-led resource mobilization to enhance food security and resilience in rural Malawi.
Micro-insurance and Private Sector Partnerships:
Micro-insurance and private sector partnerships empower communities through innovative financial solutions, particularly in rural Malawi where access to financial products is limited. By collaborating with the private sector, the government can develop and promote micro-insurance schemes like indexed weather insurance to help reduce the vulnerability of these communities. This collaboration could involve designing tailored insurance products that address the unique needs of rural communities, such as crop, livestock, and weather index-based insurance. To encourage broader access to insurance coverage, the government could offer incentives to insurance companies, such as tax breaks, subsidies, or risk-sharing mechanisms, making it more attractive for private companies to participate in this market.
Supporting the formation of community-based organizations like farmer cooperatives or village savings and loan associations (VSLAs) also helps to facilitate the adoption of micro-insurance products, as these organizations act as intermediaries between insurance providers and local communities. These cooperatives or VSLAs help pool risks, negotiate better coverage terms, and facilitate claims processes for their members. To scale up these initiatives, the government should invest in education and awareness campaigns to increase understanding of micro-insurance products among rural communities and demonstrate their potential benefits. Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of these schemes is essential to inform future policy and program development. By partnering with the private sector and investing in micro-insurance, the government can provide much-needed support during times of crisis, ultimately empowering Malawian communities to better cope with external shocks and build resilience.
Final Thoughts: Towards a Resilient Future in Malawi
Building resilient communities in Malawi calls for a collaborative and inclusive approach, engaging the government, NGOs, private sector, and, above all, the communities at the heart of these efforts. By fostering a supportive environment for community-led initiatives, cultivating meaningful livelihoods, empowering youth, leveraging indigenous knowledge, and nurturing dynamic partnerships, we can ignite the innate resilience of Malawi's communities.
