The support, delivered by Oxfam in Malawi and a network of local partners, will help thousands of people prepare for, withstand, and recover from increasingly frequent climate related disasters, including droughts, floods and failed harvests.
Malawi is on the frontline of the climate emergency. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and more intense storms are destroying crops, eroding livelihoods, and making access to safe water ever more difficult. Despite contributing almost nothing to global carbon emissions, communities in Malawi are paying a steep price for a crisis they did not cause.
This new funding will help redress that injustice.
“A clear example of Scotland backing climate justice”
Edwin Mpando, Oxfam in Malawi Focal Point, said: “We’re grateful to the Scottish Government for this life changing support. At a time when some governments are choosing to step back, cut support and turn inward, Scotland is choosing to step forward and act in global solidarity.
“In Malawi, climate change is driving rising temperatures, failed rains and more frequent floods and droughts, even though the country has contributed very little to the emissions behind this crisis. Crops are failing, incomes are being hit, and water is becoming harder and harder to access.
“This funding will help communities prepare for disasters, protect their livelihoods and recover when the worst happens. It’s a clear example of Scotland backing climate justice and global solidarity when it matters most.”
What the funding will support
Over the coming year, the programme will work with community organisations across seven districts, strengthening people’s ability to withstand the shocks the climate crisis now brings with terrifying regularity. The support will include:
- Boosting resilient livelihoods for 18,000 households by supporting climate smart agriculture, strengthening irrigation systems, improving access to markets and developing new income generating activities such as beekeeping and fish farming.
- Improving access to safe water and sanitation, including repairing damaged water points, installing solar powered water systems, and supporting communities to manage and maintain their own water supplies.
- Strengthening disaster preparedness, from early warning systems to evacuation drills, school-based disaster risk clubs and updated district emergency plans.
- Recovering from loss and damage, including helping to repair community infrastructure damaged by floods or storms and providing psychosocial support to those affected.
- Elevating the leadership of women, young people and people with disabilities in local climate decision making, supporting civil society organisations to ensure those most affected have a meaningful say in shaping solutions.
- Supporting advocacy and community voices, enabling civil society groups to influence climate policy at local and national level and push for fairer resource allocation.
This work builds on the Scottish Government funded Climate Just Communities programme already underway in Malawi, which has shown the power of supporting locally led climate action rooted in community priorities and participation.
Locally led action at the heart of the response
Oxfam in Malawi and trusted local partners will lead this work on the ground, drawing on the knowledge and strengths of the communities they already serve. By supporting local groups, from disaster committees and school clubs to water teams and women’s networks, the programme helps ensure solutions are rooted in community priorities and built to last.
Oxfam Malawi will work with the following partners: Civil Society Network on Climate Change; Organization for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development Initiative; CADECOM Karonga; World Relief Malawi; Water Witness Malawi; Churches Action in Relief and Development; Circle for Integrated Community Development; Link Education International; and Link Community Development Malawi.
A message of solidarity from Scotland
This funding shows Scotland’s continued commitment to global climate justice, recognising that those who contributed least to the climate crisis are often those most affected by it. By helping communities in Malawi prepare for climate shocks, protect their livelihoods and have a stronger voice in climate decisions, Scotland is choosing fairness, dignity and global solidarity. Oxfam Scotland is urging all political parties to make clear commitments to Scotland’s Climate Justice Fund throughout the next Scottish Parliament.
