Taking stock of community-based flood risk management in Malawi: different stakeholders, different perspectives

Robert Sakic Trogrlic, Grant Wright, Adebayo Adeloye, Melanie Duncan, Faidess Mwale

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Current flood risk strategies in Malawi are characterized by community-based flood risk management (CB-FRM), even though studies explicitly documenting evidence of successful CB-FRM remain limited. This paper investigates the realities and challenges of CB-FRM as seen through a lens of different stakeholders. In order to capture the experiences of CB-FRM, a predominantly qualitative research framework was developed. In 2016, 11 focus group discussions with stakeholder groups (local communities, local government and non-governmental organisations) were held. Additionally, informal discussions, field visits, a short survey and an extensive desk study were undertaken. The findings were analysed according to the major themes that emerged related to the realities and challenges of specific stakeholder groups. Although response and relief still remain prominent components of CB-FRM in Malawi, a number of mitigation and preparedness activities is observed. However, a lack of in-country resources, relief-oriented aid approaches and an ‘aid dependency’ syndrome represent obstacles. Different stakeholder groups share similar challenges in terms of financing, participation, decentralised governance and project management. Lack of project sustainability and localised ownership also emerged as major challenges. The identified challenges shed light on the frontiers and directions in which improvements are needed, thus offering a valuable contribution to the existing knowledgebase.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)107-127
JournalEnvironmental Hazards
Volume17
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Taking stock of community-based flood risk management in Malawi: different stakeholders, different perspectives'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this