THE CASE OF CHILOBWE TOWNSHIP IN BLANTYRE (AN OVERVIEW OF BARRIERS AND ENABLERS TO COMMUNITY-BASED ADAPTATION)

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2 THE CASE OF CHILOBWE TOWNSHIP IN BLANTYRE (AN OVERVIEW OF BARRIERS AND ENABLERS TO COMMUNITY-BASED ADAPTATION) By Sylvester Mitini-Nkhoma Blantyre -Malawi

3 Presentation Outline Introduction Blantyre City 2015 Climatic Events Chilobwe Community Regulatory and Institutional Framework Adaptation Measures Barriers to Adaptation Opportunities for Adaptation

4 Introduction Climate change is one of the most important global phenomena affecting human society. It is a long term deviation in the expected average weather patterns of a specific region over a long time span ranging from decades to million years. Effects of changing climate are detrimental to life on earth human beings, flora and fauna are heavily affected from the effeects of climate change.

5 Introduction (Cont d) Effects: Increased Heat, High Rainfall Intensity, Poor Rainfall Distribution, Prolonged Dry Spells, Prevalent Hail Storms, etc. All detrimental to life. Malawi, a developing Country in the global south is suffering greatly from the effects of changing climatic patterns. As an agricultural country it suffers low and poor agricultural outputs which are way too insufficient to feed its rapidly growing population. Other sectors such as health, water resources, transport, energy, tourism and wildlife are also affected. This gives a burden on the economy

6 Introduction (Cont d) Malawi was declared State of Disasters on 13 January districts (out of a total of 28): Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe, Zomba, Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Thyolo, Mulanje, Balaka, Machinga, Mangochi, Ntcheu, Salima, Rumphi and Karonga.

7 Blantyre City One of the four major urban centres in the country with an area of 228 square kilometers and a population of approximately 800,000. The largest commercial and industrial centre in Malawi. The City is managed in accordance with the 1998 Local Government Act and the 1998 National Decentralization Policy.

8 Blantyre City (con d) The City is managed by Council which is structured into eight directorates namely: Administrative Services Leisure, Culture and Environmental Services Engineering Services Health and Social Services Financial Services Commerce and Industry Town Planning and Estates Management Services Education

9 2015 Climatic Events The transition of 2014 and 2015 was devastating for Malawi. Blantyre City was struck hard as well: by stormy rains in Misesa Ward persistent intense rains in all the 23 Wards floods in Soche West, Green Corner, Ndirande and South Lunzu Wards. Impacts on the social, environmental and economic livelihoods were severe.

10 2015 Events (Cont d.) 12 died 2 went missing 264 got injured 7,914 were homeless 64,641 total people directly affected 15,068 households directly affected Chilobwe is in Blantyre South West Constituency 5 dead, 2 missing (their bodies were not found), thus 7 died in Chilobwe alone.

11 Chilobwe Community Located in Soche West and Green Corner Wards Its administration is sliced in two: Blantyre City Council to the north Blantyre District Council to the South Last year s floods swept houses as in pictures Most houses collapsed as a result of heavy non-stop rains

12 Chilobwe Community

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18 Other areas in Nsanje and Chikhwawa

19 Regulatory & Institutional Framework. Malawi regularly experiences the effects of natural disasters and is particularly vulnerable to drought and floods. On average, about 26,000 people are affected by floods in Malawi every year which, according to the World Bank, reduces the national gross domestic product (GDP) by about 1.7 per cent.

20 Regulatory & Institutional Framework (Cont d) Department for Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) under the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Management. Documents National Adaptation Programme of Action (2006) Disaster Response and Management Policy Malawi National Climate Change Policy National Climate Change Programme Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act Malawi is also a signatory to The Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) & UNFCCC

21 Adaptation Measures. 1. Community mobilization through: Formation of committees responsible for different programmes affecting people. These programmes cut across issues of livelihood to environmental conservation. Creation of Ward Civil Protection Committees (WCPC) Commitees are tasked to look at public safety and disaster mngt. at community (ward) level. Involved in planning and implementation of programmes organized with the help of the City Civil Protection Committee (CCPC) at council level.

22 Community Development Committee (CDC) This committee is the administrative arm of the Council at a ward level. It reports to the ward Councillor and fosters community led development. Some of its terms of reference are as follows: a) Channel all development initiatives through community mobilization. b) Two way relations for policy makers and target community. c) Provide local solutions to challenges in the community.

23 Community mobilization (Cont d) Formation of Water Users Associations (WUAs) Their mandates are to: a) To look into affairs of water availability around Chilobwe and surrounding communities. b) To mobilizes the community to towards water issues. c) To plan water management programmes. d) To operates and secures water structures.

24 Adaptation Measures (Cont d). a) Rain water harvesting from house roofs. b) Borehole Water Supply at Baluti. c) Water Wells at Chatha. d) Soche Hill Source Natural water reservoir in the hill.

25 Potential adaptation mechanisms Storm water harvesting for non-consumption purposes, eg. watering plants Construction of water tanks in homes. Establishment of storm water check dams Planting of groundcover vegetation along road verges and shade trees in boundaries, avenues, institutions and open spaces

26 Potential adaptation mechanisms (Cont d) Afforestation and conservation programmes on bare hills Use of energy saver bulbs in homes and institutions and renewable energy sources for domestic use. ( Chitetezo mbaula) Establishment of waste management strategies. Recycling of waste (compost manure making, metal and plastic reselling, )

27 Barriers to Adaptation. Lack of coordinated approach to community development Some organisations don t follow proper procedures when entering a community with initiatives. High Poverty Levels most pople are below poverty line (some measures favour those with good income) Financial constraints for BCC to lead the strategy Vandalism to public property. Substandard public service water, energy, health, education and security

28 Opportunities to Adaptation. High Motivation - Disaster Experience is a driving force. National Support Cabinet looking at issues of CC. Existing Regulatory and Institutional Frameworks (Department of risk management, Climate Change Policy)

29 Conclusion and Way Forward Lessons learnt from the Disastrous events will form a platform for planning and implementation of adaptation measures at Community level Action plans will be formulated by the Communities with the help of the local authority SURe Water 4 Africa Project will be up-scaled to other areas, mainly those which were affected by disasters.

30 The End Zikomo