Malawi

Key facts

Hazards covered by anticipation    

Drought | Epidemics | Floods

Anticipation partners in country    

Malawi Red Cross Society | Danish Red Cross | 510 initiative of the Netherlands Red Cross | Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre | Department of Disaster Management | Department of Water Resources | Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services | Department of Economic and Planning | WFP | FAO

INFORM risk index (2022)    

Hazard and exposure: 2.9

Vulnerability: 5.6

Lack of coping capacity: 6.4

Total: 4.7 (medium)

Rank: 52

 

Photo: Eskil Meinhardt Hansen / Danish Red Cross

Country profile

Malawi, a landlocked country in south-east Africa, is among the poorest countries in the world. Malawi’s economy and people largely depend on agriculture. More than 80 per cent of the population lives in rural areas and are dependent on subsistence farming as their main source of livelihood.

Drought and floods are the most frequent and significant hazards in Malawi, posing a threat to what is mostly rain-fed agriculture. In the past, severe floods and drought have reduced people’s coping capacity and the stability of livelihoods. Recurring drought leads to the loss of crops and livestock, thus contributing to food insecurity and severe food crises. 

Riverine and urban flooding cause loss of life, and widespread damage to housing, infrastructure and agricultural products. In 2015, economic losses due to extreme events reached approximately 10 per cent of gross domestic product and led to the displacement of up to 200,000 people. 

In addition to drought and floods, Malawi faces extreme heat, wildfires, cyclones, landslides, earthquakes, pest infestations and diseases outbreaks. Environmental degradation and climate change exacerbate the frequency and severity of these disasters in Malawi.

Projects

Building resilience and adapting to climate change

Anticipatory action for drought is a component of the 'Building resilience and adapting to climate change' (BRACC) project, which began in 2018 and aims to: reduce the impacts of climate shocks; respond to seasonal consumption needs; support the design of social safety nets; and generate evidence and knowledge to inform government policy. The anticipatory action element strives to strengthen operational systems for forecast-based financing.

FAO is working to support early action for drought in Malawi.

Forecast-based action in Malawi

Since 2017, the Malawi Red Cross Society, with support from the Danish Red Cross, has been working to develop an Early Action Protocol for floods to reduce their impact on vulnerable populations. The project collaborates with the Climate Centre, the 510 initiative of the Netherlands Red Cross, WFP and agencies from the Malawi government.

Further information

External Link April 15, 2025

Tearfund: Malawian farmers receive first drought insurance payout

Farmers in Malawi received an insurance payout to Tearfund of over £80,000 through a new funding mechanism leveraging satellite data to determine the availability of water for crops.

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News March 19, 2025

Cash & Voucher, Early Action

The Malawi Red Cross Society distributes anticipatory cash ahead of Tropical Cyclone Jude

With Tropical Cyclone Jude forecast to bring severe weather to Malawi, the Malawi Red Cross Society provided anticipatory cash and other support to help communities prepare for the worst.

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This image shows submersion of crops
Blog December 09, 2021

Early Action, Early Warning System

Project launch: Application of disaster-loss data to support early warning and early action in Africa

On 8 December 2021, at the 9th Global Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Humanitarian Action, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), 510 – An Initiative of the Netherlands Red …

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Report December 12, 2024

Dialogue Platform, Networks & Conferences

Report from the 2nd Southern Africa Dialogue Platform

This report summarizes the main outcomes and discussions from the 2nd Southern Africa Dialogue Platform, which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 13 to 15 August 2024.

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Presentation December 10, 2024

Forecast, Health

Southern Africa Seasonal Outlook Dec-Feb 2024-2025

This presentation contains climate information for southern Africa for the December–January–February (DJF) period 2024/25, with a focus on what this outlook means in terms of health impacts.

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Report September 16, 2024

Comparative Study in the Early Warnings and Early Actions before Tropical Cyclone Freddy

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Report August 19, 2024

Lessons learned exercise: Tropical storm Filipo, March 2024

The purpose of the Lessons Learned Exercise is to assess the strengths and gaps in MRCS’ AA approach and coordination ahead of forecasted Tropical Storms and Cyclones and provide recommendations …

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Report August 14, 2024

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Flood Early Warnings and Early Action among local communities in Zomba and Phalombe, Malawi

A narrative report on a study done to survey local communities on their Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Early Warning and Early Action building on theoretical approaches from Early Warning and …

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Report June 19, 2024

Summary of comparative and KAP Studies done in Malawi

Summary of a comparative study and a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study, which were done to provide a quantitative assessment of who and how many individuals respond to early warnings, and …

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Briefing Sheet / Fact Sheet August 17, 2023

Trigger Development

Detecting Dry Spells in Malawi: Learnings from Developing an Anticipatory Action Trigger

This briefing summarizes initial lessons from the anticipatory action trigger implemented for dry spells in Malawi. Lessons include: 1) that established definitions may not easily lend themselves to …

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Briefing Sheet / Fact Sheet November 21, 2022

Cash & Voucher, Lessons Learnt

Household Survey for Anticipatory Action in Malawi

This household survey for anticipatory action in Malawi was prepared in 2021 by Research Insight for Learning Ltd. to help inform the timing, accountability, and quality of the pilot. The …

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Report April 07, 2022

Trigger Development

Malawi Dry Spells Anticipatory Action Trigger: Quality Assurance Review

This high-level report details the quality assurance review of the trigger used in the anticipatory action pilot implemented to mitigate impact of dry spells on vulnerable communities in Malawi. The …

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Report March 16, 2022

Trigger Development

Malawi Anticipatory Action: Process Learning on Trigger Development

This report assessed the assumptions underpinning the trigger developed for the anticipatory action programme in Malawi to mitigate the impact of dry-spell events on vulnerable individuals and …

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