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Scientific information: A tool for effective
community preparedness against disasters
Tchaka KamangaProgram Officer (DRR)Christian Aid, Malawi
Outline of the Presentation
• Common Disasters in Malawi• Some underlying factors
(Vulnerability)• Innovation by Christian Aid.
• What, when and how?
• Results • Recommendations
Common Disasters in MalawiCommon Disasters in Malawi
http://www.preventionweb.net/english/countries/statistics/
Community vulnerabilityCommunity vulnerability
Climate/weather Variability and lack of information on
its trend
Provision of reliable information for effective preparation
POVERTY
Resilient livelihoods that also ensure economic empowerment
Weather information for effective preparation: Type and Process……
This overall information helps community members to plan: •What to grow•When to plant•What agricultural practices to follow•How to maintain their houses and other structures•What economic activities to engage in
Weather information for effective preparation: Type and Process……
Weather information for effective preparation: Type and process……
Community members
Department of Climate Change and Meteorological
Services
Christian Aid
Community Volunteers
Community Volunteers
Community Volunteers
Information flow……
ESOKO
Through Village Civil Protection Committees, the entire communities in specific districts are regularly informed of how weather unfolds through 5-day weather forecasts. This complements seasonal forecast for daily planning against any possible disasters.
Ground dissemination is done through:•Forwarding of text massages•Announcements in any community meetings•Voicing around communities•Pasting written posts in strategic places for public viewing
Weather information for effective preparation: Process……
The dissemination of the weather information has led to appropriate community preparedness•Maintenance of house structures•Watch out for floods and plan accordingly•watch- out for dry spells and plan accordingly•Watch-out for rain recession and plan accordingly•Watch out for planting rains and plan accordingly•Watch out for strong winds and plan accordingly
Results……
…Results
• No loss of lives in areas where this system is in place. This is in spite of some structures being destroyed following heavy rains.
• Improved yields despites some dry spells
• Luciano finds a weather advisor in a cell phone
Conclusion and recommendation#Through SCIENCE, we have come to know and believe that climate is
changing##Through science, we are able to link some DISASTERS to CLIMATE
CHANGE##Therefore, through science, communities can complement their
indigenous knowledge and prepare more efficiently and effectively against the impending disasters#
WE therefore need to invest in ensuring that scientific information relating to ANY hazards (droughts/dry spells, floods, earthquakes, cyclones etc) and disasters is made available at community levels and in a language they can understand
THE INVESTMENT MUST BE TODAY FOR A SAFER TOMORROW!
Investing in science-based
Community Early Warning Systems