On 27 October, the Malawian Government officially launched the programme Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) – Malawi. This will be implemented by Human Dynamics through Planning for Climate Change (PCC) service contract, and UN FAO through Strengthening Community Resilience to Climate Change grant contract. The HD-led PCC project will build the capacity of Malawi's Department of Irrigation to "climate proof" new and existing irrigation schemes nationwide.
The launch event took place at Lisungwi School Ground, TA Symon, Neno District, under the theme "Resilient Communities: A foundation for Sustainable Food/Nutrition Security and Development and Planning for Climate Change". Opening statements were made by H.E. Marchel Gerrmann, EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation, and Mrs Erica Maganga, Principal Secretary of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development (MoAIWD) and Guest of Honour.
Mr Gerrmann noted that droughts, dry spells and floods were seriously dampening livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Malawi — a country particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its geographical location and booming population.
These phenomena are no longer exceptional. They are now the norm and Malawi farmers know it too well: the rains are becoming more unpredictable, they can come too late, be too heavy or come all at once. [...] It is important to look at development activities through a climate change lens knowing that the two are inextricably linked.
— Ambassador Marchel Gerrmann, Head of EUD to Malawi
Mrs Maganga also spoke of the devastating impact of climate change on the livelihoods of Malawians, with focus on the drastic effect on agricultural production of poor rainfall distribution, prolonged dry spells, floods, heavy storms, hailstorm and early tailing off of the rains.
The effects of climate change have also been exacerbated by bad land management practices like increased encroachment on river banks and heavy deforestation due to charcoal burning.
— Mrs Erica Maganga, Principal Secretary, MoAIWD, Malawi
The event was attended by Dr Yanira Mtupanyama, Principal Secretary of Environment and Climate Change Management, Malawi; Ms Jenny Brown, GCCA Malawi Programme Manager; Mr Geoffrey Mamba, Director, Department of Irrigation, MoAIWD; and representatives of other ministries, as well as district, local and tribal authorities.
The implementing organisations were present with Ms Florence Rolle, FAO; Mr Dimitar Boykov, PCC Project Manager, Human Dynamics; and representatives of the UK-based Natural Resources Institute who will be providing overall monitoring and evaluation of the GCCA programme activities.