Malawi is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, exposed to increasing temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events. These result in a range of health-related impacts, including malaria, diarrheal diseases, illnesses related to extreme heat, food and nutrition insecurity, mental health conditions, and gender-related impacts. Other impacts include the physical impacts of climate hazards on healthcare facilities and water and sanitation infrastructure.

The project’s six target districts are classified as very highly vulnerable to climate impacts, compounded by low adaptive capacities and vulnerability resulting from high levels of poverty, food insecurity, gender inequality, dependence on rain-fed agriculture, limited access to water and sanitation facilities, and high unemployment. 

The project will adopt a holistic climate-informed approach to strengthening Malawi’s health system and reducing the adverse effects of climate change on the health and well-being of the population. It will strengthen and disseminate climate-informed health surveillance and early warning systems at the national level and strengthen the resilience of health, water and sanitation infrastructure. It will also develop and apply national standards and guidelines for climate-resilient facilities.

Healthcare staff will be trained to reduce a range of climate-related health risks through improved disease monitoring, health messaging, and disease treatment and prevention. The result will be communities, particularly marginalised groups, that are better prepared to manage the impacts of climate change on health.