Community centred adaptation in Malawi
A good example of a successful community centered adaptation plan in Malawi is the use of community led flood and drought management initiatives in the Lower Shire Valley, particularly in districts such as Chikwawa and Nsanje. These initiatives were designed through active participation of local communities, traditional leaders, and local councils, ensuring that community values and local knowledge were incorporated.
Communities helped identify major climate challenges such as frequent flooding, droughts, crop failure, and loss of livelihoods, which allowed the plan to directly address their most pressing risks. Vulnerability assessments were conducted at village level, focusing on women, elderly people, and low income households who are most affected by climate shocks.
Conflict resolution mechanisms were strengthened through village committees and traditional leadership structures to manage disputes over land, water, and relief resources. The adaptation measures such as riverbank protection using vegetation, construction of raised homes, small-scale irrigation schemes, and promotion of drought and flood tolerant crops met community expectations by protecting livelihoods and improving food security.
Overall, the plan enhanced the community’s adaptive capacity by building local skills, strengthening early warning systems, and encouraging collective action, making communities better prepared for future climate impacts.