Community Efforts Alleviate Challenges in Disaster-Prone Karonga District
Seventy-one families in the Chimphinga area had to cover a daunting 3-kilometre distance to fetch water from a well, primarily burdening women.
Karonga, Malawi — Karonga, a district known for its vulnerability to natural disasters such as strong winds and floods due to its flat landscape, has seen significant improvements in living conditions and disaster preparedness thanks to community-driven initiatives, writes Ellah Chirwa.
Traditional Authority Mwakaboko, one of the flood-prone areas in Karonga, faced numerous challenges, including access to clean water.
Seventy-one families in the Chimphinga area had to cover a daunting 3-kilometre distance to fetch water from a well, primarily burdening women.
Boyson Mogha, a member of one of these families, described their plight, saying, "Women would leave the house as early as 4 AM, but the time it took them to return home was astonishing. This led to tensions, and some men resorted to violence against their wives, affecting the children."
In 2015, the affected families pooled their resources, contributing 5,100 Kwacha to hire borehole drillers.
Although a borehole was successfully installed, it faced frequent malfunctions. Relief came when CADECOM, a local organisation, intervened and rehabilitated the borehole, putting an end to the water access challenges.
Estida Msonda, a resident of Hara in Traditional Authority Mwakaboko, shared her story of suffering in a small, leaky grass-thatched kitchen during the rainy season.
The constant exposure to mosquitoes led to frequent bouts of malaria among family members.
However, CADECOM's intervention through the Karonga Participatory Community Action for Preparedness (KPCAP) programme brought hope.
Msonda expressed gratitude for her new spacious, iron-sheet-thatched house, which improved their living conditions significantly.
Tingani Njikho, a 73-year-old with vision impairment, faced severe neglect and discrimination from relatives due to her lack of a proper home.
CADECOM recognised her vulnerability and included her among the beneficiaries of demonstration houses.
With a new home, Njikho's life transformed, and she now supports her extended family.
The coordinator for KPCAP, Mathias Bulukutu, commended the collaborative efforts between the council and community members to support the vulnerable.
The project, which began in October and is set to conclude in September 2023, aims to prepare community members to mitigate disasters.
Activities include borehole rehabilitation, building demonstration houses, and installing rain gauges and river gauges in areas prone to high rainfall.
Karonga's success in addressing these challenges highlights the resilience and determination of its communities, working together to improve living conditions and disaster preparedness in this disaster-prone region.