By Burnett Munthali

In a bid to enhance Malawi’s disaster preparedness and management capabilities, Minister of Finance Simplex Chinthyola Banda has called on African Risk Capacity Limited (ARC Ltd) to go beyond financial assistance and offer critical capacity-building support. Banda made this appeal on Thursday in Salima district during a board meeting of ARC Ltd, which brought together representatives from various African and European nations.

During the meeting, Banda highlighted Malawi’s pressing need to improve its ability to manage natural disasters effectively, both in terms of preparedness and response. He stressed that while financial support from ARC Ltd is vital, the country also requires technical expertise and training to build the capacity of local institutions and officials in disaster management.

“Malawi continues to face challenges in managing natural disasters, especially with the increasing frequency of climate-related events. While financial assistance is important, we need to strengthen our systems and institutions to ensure we are better prepared for and can respond effectively to disasters,” Banda stated.

African Risk Capacity Limited, an insurance company that provides parametric insurance services for climate and health risks, is designed to help African Union member states mitigate the financial impact of natural disasters. The organization offers a safety net for countries like Malawi, which are prone to extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and storms that have been exacerbated by climate change.

Maxwell Mkwezalamba, chairperson of ARC Ltd, acknowledged Banda’s concerns and confirmed that the organization is committed to closely collaborating with the Malawi government. He emphasized that ARC Ltd is not only focused on providing financial assistance through insurance but also seeks to offer technical support that can help member states build long-term resilience against disasters.

“ARC Ltd is committed to helping Malawi and other African nations build the capacity needed to manage disasters. We understand that financial assistance alone is not enough, and we will work with the government to ensure that capacity-building initiatives are part of our ongoing support,” Mkwezalamba said.

Malawi has experienced several natural disasters in recent years, from devastating floods to prolonged droughts, all of which have had significant economic and social impacts. The country’s vulnerability to climate change has exposed the need for improved disaster risk management systems. Banda noted that many local institutions tasked with responding to these emergencies lack the necessary skills, technology, and infrastructure to effectively manage crises.

Capacity building involves enhancing the knowledge, skills, and systems within local agencies responsible for disaster preparedness and response. This includes training personnel in early warning systems, developing effective disaster response plans, and improving coordination among various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and local communities.

Banda further emphasized that the long-term success of disaster risk management in Malawi will depend on the country’s ability to reduce its dependence on external aid by strengthening internal capacities.

The minister’s appeal aligns with the broader goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims to foster resilience in African countries by promoting sustainable development and effective disaster management. By integrating capacity-building efforts into its collaboration with ARC Ltd, Malawi can enhance its disaster preparedness, reduce the impact of future disasters, and move toward a more self-reliant model of disaster management.

With support from ARC Ltd, Malawi could see improvements in its ability to predict and respond to natural disasters, ultimately saving lives, protecting livelihoods, and reducing the overall cost of recovery.

As climate change continues to present new challenges, the partnership between Malawi and ARC Ltd could serve as a model for other African nations seeking to build resilience against the growing threat of climate-related disasters.