Communities Validate Climate Change and Health Findings
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Community leaders and local structures across six districts in Southern Malawi are validating findings from a formative study and helping shape interventions under the Climate Resilient Health and Well-being Project for Rural Communities in Southern Malawi (CHWBRC).
The community entry meetings, which have been taking place in Ntcheu, Balaka, Zomba, Mangochi, Machinga and Phalombe, are aimed at sharing key findings from the study, introducing the five-year project, and strengthening community participation and ownership from the beginning of implementation.'
The meetings have engaged traditional leaders, village heads, Area Development Committees (ADCs), Area Executive Committees (AECs), faith leaders, women and youth networks, and representatives of persons with disabilities. Children’s groups, including learners’ councils and children’s corners, also participated by sharing their experiences, concerns and recommendations related to climate change and its impact on health and well-being.
The engagements are being conducted in various Traditional Authorities across the six districts, including Champiti, Kwataine, Mpando and Ganya in Ntcheu; Nyanyala, Amidu, Nkaya and Phalula in Balaka; Kuntumanje, Mwambo and Lamusi in Zomba; Chowe, Chilipa, Chimwala, Nankumba, Makanjira and Mponda in Mangochi; Mposa, Mtumbwinda, Kawinga, Chikwewo, Adamson and Chiwalo in Machinga; and Chiwalo, Jenala and Kaduya in Phalombe.
During the meetings, communities discussed climate-related risks affecting their areas, their experiences with climate-induced health challenges, existing coping mechanisms, and actions needed to strengthen resilience. Participants also developed community action plans outlining strategies to address and mitigate climate-related challenges within their local contexts.
The Technical Lead for the GCF Project, Khadija Saidi, said the dialogues have provided valuable insights that will inform the development of the project’s Social and Behaviour Change strategy.
"During the community dialogues, participants shared further insights into their understanding of climate-related risks in health and their capacities to receive and respond to early warning ahead of disasters. This information will further help shape and localize the project interventions in strengthening climate adaptation and resilience in the targeted districts," said Saidi.
She added that the engagements have strengthened collaboration between national, district and community-level structures, enabling communities to become active contributors and owners of the project process.
“The meetings have helped build relationships between national, district and community structures. This coordination has empowered communities to be co-creators and owners of the study findings. The process reflects Save the Children’s commitment to accountability towards the communities we serve,” she said.
The Climate Resilient Health and Well-being Project for Rural Communities in Southern Malawi is being implemented by CRECCOM, in partnership with Save the Children Malawi, the Ministry of Health, and the Catholic Health Commission, with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The five-year initiative seeks to reduce climate change-induced diseases and improve health and well-being among vulnerable rural communities by strengthening climate adaptation, early warning systems, community resilience, and behaviour change approaches across the six target districts.