An Overview of Titukulane's DRR Component
Mangochi is one of the districts which are affected by weather related hazards. Due to climatic changes, such hazards are occurring frequently and an increase in intensity has been observed. The hazards, include floods, dry spells, stormy winds, heat waves, and destructive pests.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Titukulane’s DRM Coordinator, Edson Ndalama said Mangochi communities are vulnerable to these extreme climatic events which affect their livelihood activities and there are fears that if left unchecked, the situation will aggravate.
Titukulane Project, a consortium spearheaded by Emmanuel International Malawi and has CARE Malawi as it’s grant holder with NASFAM, Water Aid and Save the Children as implementing partners, among others focuses on disaster risk management interventions, with an aim of addressing underlying causes of communities’ vulnerability to various hazards.
In a bid to enhance preparedness to disasters, Titukulane has been Facilitating establishment of early warning monitoring systems such river line gauges and rain gauges, across its catchment areas to help in reducing loss of properties and lives due to disasters.
Speaking on the same, the Program Manager, Dr. Mathews Tsirizeni stressed that the project believes that having early warning systems alone is not enough, as such Titukulane has not only been facilitating formation of early warning teams, but also providing trainings to these structures, for proper interpretation and effective delivery of the early warning information, in a bid to reduce loss of lives and properties.
The project has facilitated procurement and distribution of early warning kits and protective gear consisting of megaphones, whistles, drums, phones, first aid boxes, torches, gumboots, and rain suits to each of the village civil protection structures which are over 200 in total.
“Now the project has procured copper standard rain gauges and 5 automated weather stations, in a bid to improve downscaled seasonal forecast to make it more area specific. We are also facilitating the construction of flood prevention and control structures such as dykes and dams, using cash for work approach, targeting ultra-poor and chronically vulnerable and elderly and women headed households” added Mr. Ndalama.
“Implementation of Titukulane activities also has a special focus on youths as we believe if properly utilised, the youth can positively contribute to the development of their communities. Knowing that youth representation in various structures is low, Titukulane works with youth structures and networks such that we offer targeted Disaster Risk Management lessons through school environmental clubs” said Dr. Mathews Tsirizeni