Update: Thousands of Malawians displaced by recent devastating floods are leaving evacuation camps as the Department of Disaster Management Affairs begins decommissioning the sites, according to Nyasa Times. The severe rainy season affected over 69,000 households across 23 districts and left at least 34 people dead. Deputy Director for Preparedness Nelly Kalengamalilo stated that the camps are being closed in phases due to growing health concerns, warning that prolonged stays increase the risk of disease outbreaks. The Malawi Red Cross Society and other partners are currently distributing basic relief items as residents return to rebuild their ruined homes.
As the country recovers from the extreme weather, a new report by DanChurchAid reveals that Malawi and other vulnerable nations face a severe shortfall in international climate adaptation finance, Malawian.com reports. The assessment indicates that global public funding for climate resilience from developed nations reached only $35.4 billion in 2023. This amount falls far short of the hundreds of billions required annually to protect local communities against worsening floods, droughts, and crop failures.
Meanwhile, hazardous conditions persist in parts of the country. The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services recently issued advisories for northern lakeshore areas, forecasting heavy isolated rains and fog, according to Malawian.com. The department also warned that strong Mwera winds will continue sweeping across Lake Malawi. Authorities have advised all lake users to take strict precautions to prevent property damage and loss of life.