Human Dynamics has recently won the 36-month EuropeAid Technical Assistance Contract Global Climate Change Alliance Malawi: Planning for Climate Change. Implementation is to begin imminently.
Human Dynamics have drawn together a consortium with BRL Ingénierie, CES Consulting Engineers Salzgitter GmbH, and SOPEX Consulting to leverage each of their unique skills to assist Malawi to combat the effects of climate change.
The project will work to improve the lives of some of those who will be hardest-hit by climate change in Malawi — the smallholder farmers whose livelihoods are entirely dependent on agriculture. The impacts of climate change have the potential to adversely affect food security and efforts in poverty reduction, unless adaption and mitigation measures are put in place now.
Thus, the project's overall objective is to alleviate poverty through enhancing the resilience of Malawian institutions and communities at national and local levels to climate change risks and impacts.
The main areas of focus are as follows.
The project will build capacity within the Department of Irrigation at Divisional and District Level in climate change planning. At District and Water User’s Associations Level the project will develop competences in operating irrigation schemes taking into consideration the effects of climate change. Furthermore, the Technical Assistance Team will provide support to District Authorities in updating Development Strategies taking into consideration the impacts of the climate change on natural resources, agriculture and forestry. At the end of the project, 4 District Strategies will have been updated and climate change training manuals developed for District councils.
Specific services provided will include: