Working with UNICEF to enhance flood resilience in Malawi

We initially conducted an assessment of Malawi’s existing systems, like the Operational Decision Support System implemented by the World Bank.

While carrying out this work, the need for a similar solution for the north of Malawi – an area often impacted by flash floods – became apparent, and we were tasked with overseeing this project.

We began by developing flood models for the region, but the goal was to have a fully functioning community- and impact-based early warning system.

Facing tight budgets, the options were limited. But involvement from the Red Cross meant that funding for their Early Action Protocols, along with funding from the Department for Water Application in the Netherlands, could support a solution based on the Red Cross’s own forecasting system.

We worked alongside the Red Cross to update this system – originally based on satellite modelling – with our own, more advanced data models. This provided more accurate flood maps, insight into the likely impacts of flooding, and a greater level of accuracy for flash flood predictions.