Assessment of community-based flood early warning system in Malawi
Loading...
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
OASIS
Abstract
One of the major natural hazards the world is facing these days are floods. Malawi has not
been spared. Floods have affected the countries’ socio-economic developmental plans. River
gauges have been installed along major rivers to monitor water levels in a bid to warn
communities of imminent flooding. In Malawi, ever since the installation of river gauges no
study has been done to assess their effectiveness. This study examines the effectiveness of
these river gauges as part of community-based early warning system. The research employs
both qualitative and quantitative approach. Questionnaires, interviews, group discussions,
document analysis were all used in order to understand the behavioural aspect of communities
under study. The current community-based early warning system practices were benchmarked
against the following elements: risk knowledge, technical monitoring and warning services,
dissemination and communication of warnings and response capability. The study revealed
that Malawi has two distinct systems in place: at national level (managed by several government
departments) and at community level [managed by Civil Protection Committees (CPCs)].
These systems were installed by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and faith-based
organisations. Apparently, no direct link exists between the two. Operational bureaucracy
affects the speedy presentation of warning messages at national level. Lack of capacity and
necessities affects the operation of the community-based system. Despite the efforts to develop
the early warning systems, the failures outweigh the successes. Government needs to provide
enough funding for systems sustainability, build capacity of CPCs and install more
technologically advanced systems.
Description
Citation
Chinguwo, D.D. & Deus, D. 2022. Assessment of community-based flood early warning system in Malawi. Jamba: Journal of disaster risk studies. 14(1):1-10. [http://www.jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba]