More than half a million trees have been planted in Malawi to build water-resilient systems in the country’s rural districts after funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Malawi’s rainfall patterns have varied in predictability for several decades as a result of climate change, and in particular what is referred to as the El Nino effect. This cyclical change in climate volatility has resulted in more than six million Malawians now facing food shortages and water scarcity. Prolonged dry spells, droughts and floods have intensified poor conditions of the worst-impacted communities.
“Building water-resilient infrastructures has been central to the African Development Bank’s work in Malawi. To align with the country’s National Adaptation Program of Action, the bank has designed the Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Project for Improved Health,” said Oswald Chanda, officer-in-charge of the bank’s water development and sanitation department.
“These campaigns aim to empower local communities, especially women and young people, to adapt further to the devastating effects of climate change.”
The bank is collaborating with the Malawian government to build stronger and more resilient communities to solve the scourge. The project seeks, among other things, to increase the resilience of water supply systems in five districts, including Rumphi, Nkhotakota, Ntcheu, Mangochi, and Phalombe.
“These are smart ways of assisting the rural communities to climate-proof and ensure inclusive access to water supply and sanitation in the five districts concerned,” Chanda added.