1. Scientific information: A tool for effective community preparedness against disasters Tchaka Kamanga Program Officer (DRR) Christian Aid, Malawi

2. Outline of the Presentation Common Disasters in Malawi Some underlying factors (Vulnerability) Innovation by Christian Aid. What, when and how? Results Recommendations

3. Common Disasters in Malawi http://www.preventionweb.net/englis h/countries/statistics/

4. Community 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

5. Weather information for effective preparation: Type and Process……

6. 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……

8. Weather information for effective preparation: Type and process……

9. Community members Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services Christian Aid Community Volunteers Information flow…… ESOKO

10. 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……

11. 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……

12. …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

13. 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