Devastating Consequences
In March 2023, Cyclone Freddy ravaged the rural locality of Mtemangawa, Traditional Authority (T/A) Malemia in Nsanje District, leaving a trail of destruction and despair. Joyce Keston, a 47-year-old mother of four, narrowly escaped the devastating floods that destroyed homes, washed away crops, and left her village in a state of ruin. The cyclone’s impact was felt far and wide, with 3.8 million people affected by acute food insecurity in the aftermath. Many survivors, like Keston, were forced to rely on humanitarian aid from government and international organizations to get by.
- Damaged Homes and Crops
- Flood-affected Livestock
- Destruction of Schools and Healthcare Facilities
The loss of livelihoods and infrastructure has had a profound impact on the community. “Today, our fertile farmland is buried in sand and rocks, no longer favourable for food production,” Keston laments. “Water points were also damaged.”
Aid and Resilience
Despite the devastation, the community has shown remarkable resilience. The Mtemangawa Village Development Committee, of which Keston is the vice-chairperson, has sourced K5 million from Trocaire, through Churches Action in Relief and Development (Card), to construct a dyke around the village.
“The committee believes that with the dyke, we can adapt to the changing climate and reduce the risk of future disasters,” says Keston.
Card district projects coordinator Jemina Phiri notes that communities equipped to adapt to climate change are better prepared to withstand the onset of climate-related disasters. “We provided them with cash and technical knowledge on how to build a dyke, besides training them to manage village savings and loans so they adapt to climate change challenges,” Phiri explains.
The Human Cost of Climate Change
The impact of Cyclone Freddy was not limited to the village; it had a far-reaching effect on the entire Southern Region. According to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma), the cyclone affected over 2.2 million people, leaving 2,500 dead and hundreds still missing. The estimated loss and damage is a staggering $506 million, with a further $680 million required for recovery and reconstruction. Climate change experts warn that African countries are losing five to 15 percent of their GDP to climate change, erasing years of progress.
| Country | Percentage of GDP Lost |
|---|---|
| Africa | 5-15% |
| Global | 25-30% |
African Solutions, African Financing
The 4th African Regional Conference on Loss and Damage in Lilongwe proposed strategies for accelerating mobilisation and access to climate finance for impactful locally led loss and damage and adaptation. Climate change experts argue that African countries should take ownership of their climate financing, with developed countries providing more climate financing to address un-adaptable and unmitigated climate impacts.
- Direct Access to Climate Finance for Frontline Communities
- Grant-Based Funding for Adaptation Programs
- Transparent Climate Finance Architecture
Climate change experts emphasize the need for developed countries to provide more climate financing to address the disproportionate impact of climate change on African communities.
Strategic Resource Mobilisation
The United Nations Development Programme resident representative Fenella Frost urged Malawi to embrace strategic resource mobilisation and utilisation, including capacity building. However, some development partners want African countries to rethink their approach to climate financing amid donor fatigue and aid freezes.
- Donor Fatigue and Aid Freezes
- Exploring New Climate Financing Avenues
- Collaboration with the Private Sector
A New Approach to Climate Financing
Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change Owen Chomanika suggests that African countries should explore untapped climate financing avenues, including domestic and private contributions. “For years, we have left the private sector out of our climate finance discussions and yet they are an important player sector in bringing climate solutions,” Chomanika notes. The communique released at the Lilongwe conference calls for a global shield to upscale support to African countries facing existential threat to loss and damage. They also petitioned for flexible financial support for country-driven, needs-based climate solutions.
Conclusion
The aftermath of Cyclone Freddy has left a lasting impact on the community of Mtemangawa. The devastating floods have destroyed homes, washed away crops, and left a trail of destruction and despair. However, the community has shown remarkable resilience, and the efforts to construct a dyke and access climate finance demonstrate the potential for African solutions, African financing. It is essential to acknowledge the disproportionate impact of climate change on African communities and to provide more climate financing to address the un-adaptable and unmitigated climate impacts. A new approach to climate financing, one that prioritizes African solutions and African financing, is needed to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
