Malawi: Floods DREF Operation No. MDRMW002 Final Report

The International Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation’s disaster response system and increases the ability of national societies to respond to disasters.

Summary: CHF 88,704 (USD 70,963 or EUR 54,755) was allocated from the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 30 January 2007 to support Malawi Red Cross Society in delivering assistance to the floodaffected population, and to replenish disaster preparedness stocks distributed in the context of this operation.

The Malawi Red Cross Society provided emergency shelter, through its prepositioned tents, which were set up thanks to trained action teams. In addition, tarpaulins and plastic sheeting were distributed to flood-affected people who had lost their houses, for purposes of roofing material. DREF funds were also used to replenish relief stocks, and to cover some operational costs.

The situation

In early January 2007, heavy rains in southern Malawi caused flooding in the lower Shire region, severely affecting the districts of Chikwaka, Nsanje and Mangochi, as well as nine additional districts to a lesser extent. The Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) participated in a governmentled inter-agency assessment to ascertain the extent of the damage and determine the most immediate needs. The main findings from this assessment are summarized in table no. 1 below:

Table 1: Statistics on the effects of the floods
District Households
affected Houses
collapsed Farmland affected
(hectares) Livestock lost
(number of animals)
Chikwawa
20,016

917

7,666

78
Nsanje
1,351

475

1,804

105
Mangochi
2,143

503

82

654
Other nine districts
1,890

438

No crop damage

No livestock lost
TOTAL
25,400

2,333

9,552

837

In total, some 25,400 households were affected, with many houses damaged – of which 2,333 had collapsed. In addition, over 9,000 hectares of farmland were flooded and approximately 800 essential livestock lost.

Many of the affected families had to seek shelter in churches, schools or with relatives. Most latrines in the flood-affected areas collapsed, leading to health concerns regarding the potential outbreak of waterborne diseases and cholera (Malawi had previously experienced an outbreak of cholera in mid-2006, and nine cases were reported at the time of the flooding). A possible rise in the prevalence of malaria was also of concern, given that Mangochi district is generally prone to malaria and was considered to be at additional risk due to the stagnant post-flood waters.

The primary needs of the flood-affected population were determined to be in the areas of shelter, basic food and non-food relief, health care, and water and sanitation.

Contact information

For further information please contact:

In Malawi: Malawi Red Cross Society: Lawson Kasamale, Secretary General, Email mrcs@eomw.net; Phone: Tel 265.1.775.290; Fax: 265.1.775.590

In Southern Africa Zone: Françoise Le Goff, Head of Zone Office, Johannesburg; Email francoise.legoff@ifrc.org; Phone: Mobile: +27.83.556.6565 Tel: +27.11.303.9700; +27.11.303.9711; Fax: +27.11.884.3809; +27.11.884.0230

In Southern Africa Zone: Disaster Management Department: Farid Aiywar; Johannesburg; Email farid.aiywar@ifrc.org; Phone: Mobile: +27.83.440.0564 Tel: +27.11.303.9700; +27.11.303.9721; Fax: +27.11.884.3809; +27.11.884.0230

In Geneva: John Roche, Operations Coordinator, Email: john.roche@ifrc.org; Phone: +41.22.730.4400, Fax: +41.22.733.03.95