The Director of the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, Dr. Lucy Mtilatira, has emphasized the urgent need for Malawi to enact a Meteorological Bill, arguing that most disasters the country faces are man-made, stemming from weak policies and human behavior rather than nature alone.

Speaking on Monday during the commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Thyolo, Dr. Mtilatira said the bill would help strengthen resilience mechanisms and institutional responses to climate-related hazards.

In her key note address, Mtilatira tackled Pathways to Resilient Reconstruction Amidst Climate Change Induced Risks in Malawi.

“Most of the disasters that we experience in Malawi are not purely natural. They are man-made, emanating from societal contributions and policy failures,” said Dr. Mtilatira.

“People continue settling in prohibited areas like mountains, swamps, and other disaster-prone places. When floods or landslides occur, they blame nature instead of recognizing that poor planning and weak enforcement are at the root.”

She disclosed that her department is pushing for the proposed Meteorological Bill to include a Build-Back Better model and a Climate Resilience Component, which will help the country recover more sustainably from climate shocks.

“We are advocating for a legal framework that promotes resilience building rather than reactive recovery efforts,” she added.

The event, held under the theme “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,” brought together experts, students, and community members to reflect on the need for proactive disaster management and stronger policy implementation.

MUST Senior Lecturer in Disaster Risk Management, Dr. Isaac Mwalwimba, stressed that the country needs to turn policy into action, especially in relocating people living in high-risk zones.

“Policies are only as good as their implementation. We need to move from paper to practice by ensuring that people in disaster-prone areas are relocated safely,” said Dr. Mwalwimba.

“Stakeholders should focus more on problem-based approaches that address root causes rather than temporary solutions.”

During a panel discussion themed “Unlocking Transformative Resilience Potential,” participants — including academia, NGOs, and community leaders — observed that investing in resilience is more cost-effective and sustainable.

Malawi has experienced multiple cyclones in recent years, including Cyclones Idai in 2019, Anna in 2022 and a coincident flash floods which hit Phalombe on 10 March 1991.

The government stated that the country lost approximately $506.7 million from Cyclone Freddy, with the estimated cost for recovery and reconstruction being $680.4 million.