: Floods Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) United Nations Office of the Resident Coordinator Situation Report No. 3 (as of 23 January 2015)

This report is produced jointly by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) of Malawi and the United Nations Office of the Resident Coordinator in Malawi, in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It was issued by 24 January 2015. It covers the period from 16 to 23 January 2015. The next report will be issued on or around 27 January 2015. Highlights

 Since early January 2015 the southern have been experiencing above-normal rains, which have provoked massive floods along the Shire and Ruo rivers.

 The President of the Republic of Malawi declared a State of Disaster on 13 January in 15 districts, with floods affected an estimate of 638,000 people countrywide, and 79 deaths. In only, 153 people are still missing.

 Preliminary assessments conducted by UNDAC in collaboration with local authorities indicate that the floods have left at least 174,000 people displaced in the three most hit districts: Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe.

 On 21st January 2015, the Vice-President of Malawi announced the launch of a Preliminary Response Plan budgeted in US$ 81 million. At present, 21% has been funded.

638,000 15 174,000 79 153 63,531 Estimated affected Affected districts Displaced people in Deaths Missing people in Hectares of land people countrywide the 3 most affected Nsanje District flooded districts

Situation Overview

In early January 2015, heavy rainstorms and floods hit 15 out of the 28 districts in Malawi (Chikwawa, Nsanje, Phalombe, Zomba, Rumphi, Karonga, Thyolo, Machinga, Mangochi, Ntcheu, Chiradzulu, Mulanje, Balaka, Salima and Blantyre). The Government of Malawi (GoM) estimates that at least 174,000 people (numbers still being verified) have been displaced in the worst hit districts as their houses were washed away, or their roofs blown off, or were inundated, or simply collapsed because of water logging conditions. In addition to this, 79 deaths (54 at the time of the Declaration of a State of Disaster) have been reported as of 23 January 2015, as well as several injuries. In the District of Nsanje only, 153 people are still missing. According to the Malawi Meteorological Services, as of 23 January 2015, a rain belt is still active mainly over Central and Northern areas of Malawi, which will bring moderate to heavy rains in these regions. Warnings of flash floods and riverine flooding are active, especially for . Thereafter, a low pressure area in the Mozambique Channel will influence Congo air mass to affect most areas of Malawi including Southern Malawi. However, Southern Malawi will receive less rain in the coming days. Locally heavy rains often accompanied by + For more information, see “background on the crisis” at the end of the report

Department of Disaster Management Affairs of Malawi United Nations Office of the Resident Coordinator Malawi Floods - Situation Report No. 03 | 2 strong winds are expected mainly over Northern and Central areas, but lesser over the South until Saturday 24 January. A pick in rains is expected over Southern Malawi by Sunday 25 January until Tuesday 27 January 2015. The risks of flooding are still high. In the most affected areas, search and rescue operations are already concluded. A total of 3,649 people have been evacuated in Chikwawa to temporary sites. The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team continues the support to the emergency operations centers (EOC) in the 3 worst affected districts (Chikwawa, Nsanje and Phalombe). The report further indicates that there is extensive damage to houses and infrastructure, and an urgent need for food assistance. In addition, UNDAC teams concluded inter-agency assessment in Phalombe district and the verification of assessments in Nsanje and Chikwawa districts. UNDAC teams continue to assess the 12 districts and have started to assess the situation in Zomba and Charadzulu. As the weather forecast is predicting heavy rains in Northern Malawi, the assessment team will prioritize Karonga and Rumphi Districts, focusing not only on the impact of the heavy rains, but also on preparedness. Funding

Following the Declaration of a State of Disaster by the State President on 13 January 2015, the humanitarian community supported the Government to develop a response plan. On 21st January 2015, the Government of Malawi, in collaboration with the Humanitarian Country Team, announced the launch of the Preliminary Response Plan (PRP), built on inputs from the GoM led and partner co-led clusters, for a total of US$ 81 million out of which 21% has been covered so far. The PRP is led by the GoM in partnership with the humanitarian community. Funds will be channeled through humanitarian partners. Before the Declaration of a State of Disaster, the GoM allocated MK 150 million (around US$ 325,000) to DoDMA. A second allocation has set aside by the GoM following this Declaration, amounting MK 500 million (around US$ 1.1 million) for emergency response and recovery. In addition, a number of foreign governments including Zambia, Japan, South Africa, Canada, Norway, United Kingdom and others have made donations both in-kind and cash. On 21 January 2015, IFRC launched an appeal of US$ 2.1 million to deliver assistance and support to 42,130 people (7,660 households), with a focus on emergency shelter, health, water and sanitation, food security, restoration of family links, and National Society capacity building. The UN Resident Coordinator received US$ 50,000 from the OCHA Emergency Cash Grant to support logistics.

Malawi Preliminary Response Plan 2015 Requirements by sector (in million US$)

US$81 million requested Shelter and Camp Management 17.9 Funded Food Security 17.8 21% Agriculture 15.9 Transport and Logistics 8.4 Education 5.7 Health and HIV 5.2 Protection 3.7 Funded Unmet Water and Sanitation 3.6 Pledged 79% Nutrition 2.3 Unmet Unmarked funds

All humanitarian partners, including donors and recipient agencies, are encouraged to inform DoDMA and the OCHA's Financial Tracking Service (FTS - http://fts.unocha.org) of cash and in-kind contributions by e-mailing: [email protected]

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Humanitarian Response

Shelter & Camp Management Cluster Lead: Ministry of Lands and Housing Co-Lead: Malawi Red Cross Needs:  According to information available for the most hit districts (Chikwawa, Nsanje and 3,567 Phalombe), 174,000 in the most hit districts and some more tents are needed in the Tents required in worst temporary displacement sites. affected districts  In total, 3,350 tents are needed for shelter and the provision of services to those affected and displaced, as well as plastic sheeting for repairing and reinforcing damaged houses. Response:  1,000 tents have been received, which are being distributed to sites, including by Malawi Defense Force.  Plastic sheeting is currently being distributed by partners.  ActionAid deployed sites monitors in 10 temporary displacements sites in Nsanje District (Bangula, Makhanga, Osiyana, Chigwafumu, Chikali, Mbwazi, Fatima, Phokela, Mlonda and Chilimba), to facilitate the coordination of all sites activities.  Concern Universal, funded by Irish Aid, is distributing non-food items in Ntcheu, Chikwawa, Thyolo and Phalombe Districts, including nets, tents, soap, jerry cans, rope, axes, spades, chlorine, fuel efficient stoves and firewood.  Save the Children International has mobilized US$ 32,100 for shelter and non-food relief items to be distributed in Zomba, Phalombe and Chiradzulu Districts.  Malawi Red Cross volunteers are supporting site management in affected areas. Gaps & Constraints:  As reported by UNDAC team based in Chikwawa, there is need for a proper relocation plan for the displaced populations. Shelter expertise is urgently required to support the district in developing this plan. Voluntary, uncoordinated return has already taken place.

Food Security Cluster Lead: DoDMA Co-Lead: WFP Needs:  Food assistance will likely be required up to April 2015, and high-energy biscuits are 26,000 MT an immediate requirement. required for food  Using initial estimates, the total estimated requirement is 26,000 MT at an estimated assistance cost of US$ 17 million. Needs are likely to increase as the situation continues to evolve. On 19 January, the Government agreed to contribute 14,000 MT of maize from the Strategic Grain Reserves. Associated costs are urgently needed to transport and deliver the Government’s in-kind contribution. Response:  Food distribution commenced using prepositioned stocks earmarked for the on-going response to food insecurity situation. The Government (in collaboration with different donors) through the Food Security Cluster has launched a flood response intervention called Relief Food Assistance that is aimed at assisting households affected by floods with food. The intervention will be delivered as an extension of the ongoing MVAC response as all the affected districts except Chiradzulu and Mangochi are under MVAC response.  On 20 January, WFP has also airlifted 77MT of High Energy Biscuits (HEBs) into the country from the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Dubai for immediate distribution to the affected population in areas that remain largely cut-off, mainly some 77,000 displaced people who have no access to markets or cooking facilities in the hardest hit districts, Nsanje and Chikhwawa, especially those who are entirely cut off in the East Bank of Nsanje district.  WFP has started moving to flooded areas stocks of food from its regular programmes that need to be replenished. Since mid-January (16 January), WFP has dispatched 890 MT of food (maize, beans, veg oil and super cereal) to the worst hit districts of Phalombe, Chikwawa, Nsanje and Mulanje. This food is to reach 26,000 flood-affected households (about 144,000 people).  Concern Universal is distributing food in Balaka to 4,386 households, as WFP implementing partner.  Save the Children International has mobilized US$ 124,000 for food relief items to be distributed in Zomba, Phalombe and Chiradzulu Districts.

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Gaps & Constraints:  WFP urgently requires donor contributions to continue and scale-up food assistance to all flood-affected.  Access to distribution areas is still a challenge  Boat and air operations to deliver urgent supplies to difficult-to-access areas are currently being planned.

Agriculture Cluster Lead: Ministry of Agriculture Co-Lead: FAO Needs:  According to the Government, 116,000 households lost crops and livestock (or part 116,000 of), affecting a total of 31,000 hectares. Farmers affected by  Irrigation infrastructure has been washed away and submerged. Assessing damage floods to existing irrigation infrastructure and repair damages are key priorities  The possibility exists for replanting immediately after floods subside. Response:  Save the Children International has mobilized US$ 70,000 for agriculture items to be distributed in Zomba, Phalombe and Chiradzulu Districts.  FAO plans to provide emergency assistance for resuming smallholder crop production in flood affected districts for a total of 20,000 households. Gaps & Constraints:  Replanting immediately after flood waters recede may prove difficult due to risk of further flooding. Even if water receded in most of the affected areas, there are still areas to be re-planted which remains submerged.  Funding for agricultural input and re-planting in areas where it is feasible to re-plant is key to avoid continued food insecurity and increased number of feed insecure the next lean season.

Transport & Logistics Cluster Lead: Ministry of Transport and Public Infrastructure Co-Lead: WFP Needs:  Availability and efficient operation of transport vehicles (e.g. Motorbikes, trucks, US$ 8.4 million helicopters and boats) still need to cover logistics  Secure access routes are available for delivery of relief items (e.g. road and requirements bridge repair)  Entry ports and international routes for unhindered transportation of international assistance.  Transportation and warehousing of relief items, including fuel provision. Response:  WFP deployed boats and a helicopter to ensure delivery of biscuits and other humanitarian cargo to flood- affected areas that remain entirely cut off. In addition, WFP has logistics experts in the country to support assessments and operations, as well as to assess the need for logistics augmentation to support the overall delivery of food and non-food relief assistance for the floods response.  ActionAid supported evacuation by boats of victims which were stranded in Mozambique side (200 litres of fuel) and transport to conduct needs assessment in Nsanje District (additional fuel for a boat to ferry the assessment team across Shire River to the East Bank, TA Mlolo).  Airlifting of relief items to Mlolo area in Nsanje. Gaps & Constraints:  The flooding has damaged a significant number of roads and bridges, which makes difficult the humanitarian assistance and a priority the support to logistics operations.  The eastern side of Bangula, in Nsanje District, may not be accessible in the short-term but it has been reported that the eastern corridor has now been much more accessible. It is expected that if the dry weather condition persist and the river / waters continues to recede, humanitarian aid will be possible to deliver to the majority of sites by road.  There is urgent need for coordination and support to other cluster operations in terms of transportation of relief supplies and logistics.

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Education Cluster Lead: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Co-Lead: UNICEF Needs:  More than 350 schools have been affected (displaced, flooded and used as 181 displacement sites) in various districts and approximately 300,000 learners affected. Schools used as Some schools have been transformed into displacement while others are still displacement sites inaccessible. Latest estimates show the number of people in camps within school grounds within Nsanje and Chikwawa Districts is over 50,000 people, with only 116 latrines available.  As of 21 January 2015, at least 181 schools continue to be occupied by displaced people, as reported by District Education Managers.  Millions of dollars in education materials have been destroyed.  There is a need for 800 tents to house temporary classrooms.  School-in-a-box kits are needed to resume learning as soon as possible in temporary classrooms.  School feeding and kitchen kits are needed to support resumption of education activities.  Psycho-social support is needed, including play and recreation facilities Response:  On 20 Jan 2015, 7 UNICEF School Tents were distributed and delivered to 7 selected schools that were most affected by the extreme weather event (cyclone strength wind with driving rains).  UNICEF has finalized on the Programme Cooperation Agreement with partners to focus on mitigating challenges faced by education sector and ensure resumption of learning as a result of the disaster, focusing on 6 districts: Phalombe, Chikwawa, Nsanje, Chiradzulu, Zomba and Machinga.  Information, education and communication (IEC) materials on Education in Emergencies (2,000) have been distributed to Nsanje, Chikwawa and Blantyre districts. Gaps & Constraints:  Many schools in the flood-affected areas are still being used as temporary displacement sites, which has a high impact in the regular education activities.

Health & HIV Cluster Lead: Ministry of Health Co-Lead: WHO Needs:  Prevention and control of disease outbreaks such as cholera, dysentery, US$ 3.4 million malaria, malnutrition. still need to cover health  Provision of treatment of acute and chronic diseases and injuries. requirements  Distribution of supplies and commodities such as insecticide treated nets (ITNs), chlorine-based products for water treatment, emergency contraceptives, condoms, and nutrition and therapeutic supplements.  Establishment of temporary consultation, treatment and maternity delivery shelters within the campsites.  Strengthen early detection and reporting of disease outbreaks.  Sustain immunization and growth monitoring of children under age 5. Response:  A total of 2,215 survival kits have been dispatched, in addition to medical supplies including Oral Rehydration Salts zinc antibiotics and ringers lactate, which have been delivered to 7 of the affected districts.  UNICEF has signed an Agreement with Malawi Red Cross to provide support to displacement sites in establishing shelter, identifying health and HIV/AIDS needs, undertake social mobilization, collaborate with Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) and making referrals to health services.  In Nsanje and Chikwawa, MSF continues to carry out daily mobile clinics in displacement sites as a way of sustaining delivery of essential health services.  UNFPA has provided medical equipment and supplies to the Ministries of Health worth over US$ 600,000.  People living with HIV who are on treatment are continuing to receive antiretroviral (ARV) drugs through either nearby health clinics or outreach services. Gaps & Constraints:  One part of people living with HIV and other chronic diseases who are in displacement sites are high risk in case of disruption of regular treatment. An active identification and prioritization of these cases should be taken into consideration.

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 However, crowded conditions and reports of transactional sex among adolescent girls are of growing concern, given the risk of sexual transmission of HIV.  The special vulnerability of girls is critical, as they are already at high risk of HIV infection and early childbearing.  Although post-exposure prophylaxis (PeP) kits for occupational and non-occupational exposure are available at health centres, there is a need to ensure that people, especially young women, know how to access that service.

Protection Cluster Lead: Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare Co-Lead: UNICEF Needs:  Psychosocial support including counselling. 108  Security and protection of displaced people including through the provision of Unaccompanied lighting and security. children in Zomba and  Referral and linkages to families and other services such as reproductive health, Nsanje districts counseling and rehabilitation.  Provision of assistive devices to persons with disabilities  No new cases of physical violence have been reported in Zomba although 4 attempts of sexual abuse against children and 5 against women were reported. These are yet to be verified by the Police.  A total of 108 unaccompanied children have been recorded in Zomba and Nsanje districts as of 21 January. Response:  The community child protection workers stationed at the displacement sites are overseeing the welfare of the unaccompanied children. 10 children have been reunited out of the 108 unaccompanied children recorded on 21 January.  Malawi Interfaith AIDS Association and Emmanuel International are now on ground responding to the child protection issues.  UNFPA has provided 2,000 dignity kits to the Ministry of Gender Women, Children and Social Welfare. Gaps & Constraints:  All children that have been separated from their families need to be identified, facilitating family tracing. Care should be provided for unaccompanied and separated children.  A number of challenges exist at the displacements sites including no separation of men and women in some camps, many of the displaced not having received any assistance and uneven distribution of relief items.

Water & Sanitation Cluster Lead: Ministry of Water Development and Irrigation Co-Lead: UNICEF Needs:  The supply of safe water has been disrupted in all the affected districts. Some US$ 2.3 million boreholes, shallow wells and tap points have been flooded and contaminated. still need to meet WASH In some districts, most of the piped water supply systems have been washed requirements away.  Most of the sites where the affected population has been relocated have no access to safe water supply and sanitation facilities.  Most of the sanitation facilities (pit latrines, waste disposal sites) have been damaged, contaminating water supply facilities and surrounding environment;  Conduct rapid assessment and sanitary surveys of contaminated drinking water sources  Mobilize and operate plants (mobile water treatment plant and water tank truck) to affected areas, to provide a minimum of 15 litres of safe water per person per day (Sphere Standards 2011) to the affected populations.  Construct temporary latrines (one latrine for every 20 persons) and hand washing facilities to provide adequate sanitation for displaced people and for those remaining in households in the disaster areas considering accessibility for the elderly and physically challenged in a camp situation.  Conduct hygiene campaigns to promote good hygiene practices among the affected populations (15 districts).  Provide basic water, sanitation and hygiene supplies and equipment, which include chlorine/water purification tablets, plastic sheeting, and soap water testing kits (to the estimated 14,000 households/ 70,000 people), including kits for immediate repair of water installations (piped water supply systems, hand pumps and springs) at institutional and community level.  Ensure adequate water facilities provision in temporary displacement sites approximately 50 boreholes.

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Response:  UNICEF is continuing to work in 5 temporary displacement sites in Nsanje and Chikwawa through an agreement with GOAL Malawi, to provide latrines, water treatment and hygiene promotion to the estimated 20,000 people currently living in these sites. So far an estimated 15,500 people have been reached.  UNICEF is working in 8 displacement sites through an agreement with Water Missions International to set up water treatment systems.  Concern Universal intervenes as UNICEF implementing partner on WASH response in Phalombe, TA Jenala, targeting 5,000 households in 10 displacement sites (ie. construction of temporary latrines, water purification, health and sanitation promotion).  25,000 bottles of water guard have been ordered which will ensure that families in displacement sites have enough safe drinking water, which will be distributed over the coming weeks.  35 drums of water purification chlorine, 30 boxes of soap, 75 large water basins and 825 buckets have been distributed to the District Health Offices in Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe, Zomba and Mangochi.  Chlorine stocks and other supplies, earmarked as part of the readiness for the Ebola Virus Diseases, pre- positioned by UNICEF in October in all the districts, have been distributed to affected communities.  The WASH Cluster has consolidated its response plan for 90 days which is being finalized in the coming days. 100,000 people are being targeted under this sectoral response plan.  Information, education and communication (IEC) materials on Hygiene and Sanitation, Water Treatment, and Cholera (2,000 each) have been distributed to Nsanje, Chikwawa and Blantyre districts.  Save the Children International has mobilized US$ 40,000 for WASH relief items to be distributed in Zomba, Phalombe and Chiradzulu Districts. Gaps & Constraints:  There is a need to urgently replenish chlorine stocks from the Ebola Contingency Plan.

Nutrition Cluster Lead: Department of Nutrition Co-Lead: UNICEF Needs:  Provision of nutritional and therapeutic supplements for children at risk of US$ 8.4 million malnutrition still need to meet nutritional  Feeding of young children, expectant and lactating mothers, the elderly, needs of flood-affected people with disabilities, orphans and the chronically ill. population Response:  In the temporary displacement sites where health workers are present, under five children are being screened and SAM cases referred to the nearest health centre for management. UNICEF is providing support to intensify timely nutritional assessment and monitoring for case identification and management in Nsanje, Mangochi, Phalombe, Blantyre Districts, including an active screening in displacement sites.  By 20th January 2015 all the 15 affected districts had received in total 173 cartons of F-75, 2,000 blankets and 210 anthropometric equipment (50 pack each) of adults Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tapes and 1,214 (50 pack each) of children MUAC tapes.  The distribution of 1,930 cartons of ready-to use therapeutic food (28.6 tonnes) to seven districts of Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe, Zomba, Machinga, Blantyre and Mangochi greatly affected is underway.  Information, education and communication (IEC) materials on Nutrition (2,000) have been distributed to Nsanje, Chikwawa and Blantyre districts. Gaps & Constraints:  Two health facilities out of seven earlier reported to be implementing Out Patient Programme (OTP) are currently in accessible namely Makhanga in Nsanje and Nankumba in Mangochi.  Without an adequate and diversified diet, it is projected that more children will become malnourished in the affected areas. Low staffing and lack of growth monitoring has been reported in .  Rapid deterioration of nutrition status of children especially under flood situations is anticipated due to disease outbreaks such as diarrhoea and infections.

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Early Recovery Needs:  Early recovery needs should start to be assessed as soon as possible, in parallel US$ 600,000 to the emergency response. Allocated by the World Response: Bank for infrastructures rehabilitation  Save the Children International (SCI) is working on resource mobilization for medium-term and agriculture activities (around US$ 500,000) for Zomba, Machinga, Phalombe and Chiradzulu Districts.  The World Bank has allocated US$ 600,000 for rehabilitation of damaged road infrastructure including construction temporary bridges. Gaps & Constraints:  Emergency response should be accompanied by recovery interventions for flood-affected population. General Coordination

The Government of Malawi is leading the response, through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), with support from humanitarian partners, including NGOs, the UN System and donors. The cluster system has been activated, and the Vice President has requested all clusters to submit response plans. The Office of the Vice President, through DoDMA, has also convened regular meetings of the National Disaster Preparedness and Relief Committee to share progress report on the floods response. The Government has established Emergency Operations Centers in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Nsanje and Phalombe with the support of the UNDAC Team in coordinating the response. In addition to the EOCs, Government has opened a toll-free hotline 115 on which people may call to report issues related to disasters. The Malawi Defense Force (MDF) and Malawi Police Service (MPS) have seconded senior officers to the National Emergency Operations Centre to support DoDMA in the coordination and operations of the response. These structures are not intended to bypass already existing local structures, with District Commissioners continuing to be responsible at the district level. The MDF and MPS are also providing operational and logistical support at district level in order to improve coordination of the response. Government is also ramping up preparedness efforts in the North of the country where more rains are expected. In addition, the humanitarian community is supporting the Government in terms of coordination and response. The IFRC sent a Field Assessment Coordination Team (FACT) to Malawi for a period of 3 months to support the Malawi Red Cross in the response. The Humanitarian Country Team is supported through the cluster system sectoral relief operations. Some agencies have already deployed specialized experts to the field. The OCHA Regional Office for Southern Africa has deployed a surge team, which is working is close collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the HCT’s members and DoDMA. Also, the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Team, deployed on 16 January 2015, continue to conduct rapid assessment and supporting the coordination at local level.

Background on the crisis Heavy rains over the last few weeks have led to severe flooding across Malawi. The floods have also caused extensive damage to crops, livestock and infrastructure. The Southern districts of Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe and Zomba are the most affected. A growing concern is disease outbreak, given the poor sanitary and drainage conditions at relocation sites.

In response, the President of the Republic of Malawi declared a State of Disaster in the 15 affected districts (out of a total of 28 districts) on 13 January 2015. With the numbers of people affected and displaced continuing to rise, the President has appealed to the international community for support, specifically in the provision of tents, food and non-food items; and in the conducting of search and rescue operations. Some areas are inaccessible, impeding the conducting of assessments.

While a decrease in rainfall is forecast for Southern Malawi, more rains are predicted for the North of the country. Malawi has been receiving significant rains since December 2014, and this trend is expected to continue as the country is forecast to receive normal to above-normal rainfall between January and March 2015.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. James Chiusiwa Director of DoDMA [email protected] Ms. Mia Seppo UN Resident Coordinator in Malawi [email protected]

Department of Disaster Management Affairs of Malawi United Nations Office of the Resident Coordinator