On October 26, 2023, the Malawi Multi-Actor Partnership (MAP) on Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI) was officially launched by Mr. James Ali, Principal Secretary for Administration in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change.
The event marks a significant step towards enhancing the nation’s resilience against climate shocks.
Zainabu White from Balaka shared her positive experience with yield insurance under the PROSPER initiative.
“After being sensitized about insurance, we insured our crops against climate shocks. The cash payouts received helped us buy food; some were invested,” she said.
In his word, Co-Chair of MAP from the Insurance Association of Malawi Master Mbale, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about insurance across the country.
“While one side of the country is aware of insurance, there is a large part that is not. We must work together to sensitize people, do research, and develop pro-poor insurance products,” he stated.
Victor Mughogho, Chairperson of the CISONECC Board Sub-committee for Policy & Programmes, highlighted the need for deliberate action to implement policy and legal frameworks addressing climate change and disaster risk management.
In his speech, the Principal Secretary called for innovative approaches to addressing disasters.
“Our actions must be innovative. This must be reflected in our adaptation and mitigation actions. And most importantly, it must be evidenced in resilience finance,” he declared.
National Coordinator Julius Ng’oma invited institutions in the climate change and disaster management sectors to join the MAP.
“This platform will drive the implementation of an effective and evidence-based, poverty-focused, gender-responsive, and human rights-based approach to CDRFI,” he said.
The MAP was established under the Multistakeholder Partnership on Climate and Disaster Risk Financing and Preparedness in the context of the InsuResilience Global Partnership (InsuResilience MAPs Project). The project is being implemented by CISONECC Malawi with funding from the Government of Germany through CARE Germany and CARE Malawi.