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Why security of land tenure is crucial for the recovery of the disaster affected families.

Following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Idai in March 2019, Habitat for Humanity Malawi (HFHM) with funding from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) pledged to support 20 disaster affected families in Chikwawa to ‘build back better’ –a vision designed to ensure that affected communities were stronger and more resilient in the face of future storms. But unless the fundamental issue of security of land tenure is addressed, poor and vulnerable people, those most affected by the cyclone are at risk of being left out of any lasting recovery and rehabilitation in the aftermath of the heavy rains and strong winds, associated with the Tropical Cyclone Idai. On 6th September 2019, HFHM facilitated the signing of “customary land consultation with chief form” for the 20 disaster affected families to be supported with housing units from the “Flood Recovery of Disaster-Affected Families in T/A Makhuwira, Chikwawa District” project funded by UNDP. These targeted families are among the 107 families that have been reallocated to Mphimbi area in Traditional Authority Makhuwira in Chikwawa district following the heavy rains and strong winds. The “Customary Land Consultation with Chief Form” is the land document that are used in the acquisition of the customary land as regulated in the Land Act. These land document confirms the ownership of the land and is approved by the Village Heads, Traditional Authorities and District Commissioners who all sign on it. These land documents provide both legal and social legitimacy of land rights. Speaking during the handover ceremony of these land certificates to the 20 families, the Programme Manager for HFHM, Lucy Mwase affirmed the importance of the security of land tenure particularly to disaster affected families that have been reallocated to new areas. “Displaced persons who do not have a rightful claim to land they have reallocated to are more likely to fall into evictions or face the threat of evictions as time goes by’’, she argued. She further stated, it is for this reason that HFHM is committed ensuring that no family moves back from sites of displacement or relocation to unsafe land. The function was presided over by the District Commissioner, Chairperson of the District Council, Traditional Authority Makhuwira, chiefs and community members.

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Cyclone Idai Lessons Learnt Workshop to help disaster resilience in Malawi

Habitat for Humanity Malawi (HFHM) organized the National Disaster Risk Reduction, Response and Recovery (DRRR) Lessons Learnt Workshop on Monday 2nd September, 2019 at Cross Roads Hotel in Blantyre. The workshop convened all key stakeholders under the Shelter and Camp Management Cluster with an aim of reviewing and understanding the biggest lessons learned in preparing for, responding to and recovering from Tropical Cyclone Idai that decimated parts of the country in March this year. The National Lessons Learned Workshop focused on understanding what worked well and the challenges faced by different stakeholders during the response and recovery phases of the disasters. Understanding how best to overcome the challenges and put together concise recommendations will help drive the future of disaster resilience in Malawi. Further to that, the submissions from workshop will help understand the best way to move forward and protect the communities in the disaster prone areas in the future. The National Director for Habitat for Humanity Malawi, Mr. Kelvin Kalonga said the HFHM is committed to ensuring that the affected communities recover and build back better and stronger form the devastation caused by the heavy rains, strong winds, associated with the Tropical Cyclone Idai. The workshop was funded by “Building Resilience of Disaster Affected Families and Organizational Capacity at Habitat Malawi” project funded by the JTI Foundation implemented by Habitat for Humanity Malawi. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA), Department of Housing under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MoLHUD) and Shelter and Camp Management Cluster Stakeholders attended the workshop. The assessment estimates of the total damage and losses resulted from the effects of the Tropical Cyclone Idai amounted to U$S 220.2 million. Out of this, housing suffered the most damage with damages and losses amounting to U$S 106.6 million. The floods resulted in damage of 288,371 houses across the affected districts.

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KOICA impressed with HFHM work on response to Cyclone Idai

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) supported Habitat for Humanity Malawi (HFHM) with ? 63.74 million South Korean Won (KRW) an equivalent of U$D 57.42 thousand dollars in form of humanitarian assistance to recover the damage from the Cyclone Idai. The support was used to assist 140 Households at Chabuka Camp in Group Village Headman Chabuka, Traditional Authority Lundu in Chikwawa District. Through the support, HFHM assisted the affected 140 families with Emergency Shelter Kits (ESKs) which comprised of tarpaulins, basic, poles, planks, and basic working tools to help the families build back better as they return to their places. KOICA and Habitat for Humanity Korea visited Chikwawa to monitor the implementation of the project and identify the possible project interventions towards the families affected by the disasters. One of the visiting staff from KOICA Mozambique Office, Ms. Shin Mihye, The Development Cooperation Officer, was impressed with the commitment of HFHM in the project to ensure that families have shelter when disaster strikes. Following the monitoring visit, Mihye appreciated the impact of the project on the families that benefited from the ESKs and retaliated KOICA commitment to assist Malawi in responding with humanitarian assistance during disasters. As such KOICA came to Malawi to learn what people want to improve their resilience. Mr. JaeYeon Jo, The Staff from HFH Korea, was also pleased with the efforts of HFHM in trying to provide shelter to the families in Chikwawa who were affected with floods. Mr. Francis Sande, the Construction Specialist from HFHM thanked KOICA for supporting HFHM in responding to disaster. Chabuka was one of the 173 camps which were instituted to host the people that were displaced with floods caused by Cyclone Idai. 487 House Holds were affected, 247 houses were destroyed and 239 houses were inhabitable and 1 person was injured in the area.

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JRP Steel and Wire Ltd Donates Iron Sheets to Habitat for Humanity Malawi towards Post Disaster Recovery Interventions

On 16th May, HFHM has received a donation of 100 10Ft x 28# corrugated Iron sheets from JRP Steel and Wire Ltd. JRP Steel and Wire Ltd is a domestic steel company and donated the iron sheets to compliments HFHM efforts in responding to disasters affected families by providing decent houses that have disaster resilient features. The donation will assist towards the roofing of three more houses for three families. More information about the company that donated to HFHM can be accessed on http://jrpmalawi.com/ The story can also be found on this link https://www.zodiakmalawi.com/malawi-national-news/habitat-for-humanity-malawi-responds-to-floods

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No family goes without shelter when disaster strikes

On Sunday, 7th April 2019, Habitat for Humanity Malawi (HFH Malawi) welcomed a consignment of 72 Tones of relief items worth £233, 496 an equivalent of MWK 223 Million through the Kamuzu International Airport. This is a kind donation from Shelter Box, a Non-Governmental Organization which has a global agreement with Habitat for Humanity to provide shelter, warmth and dignity to over 868,895 people that have been affected in the 15 districts of this country following the heavy rains and floods that recently occurred. Currently families are seeking refuge in 173 camps in the affected areas and HFH Malawi in partnership with Shelter Box, join efforts to deliver humanitarian aid in form of equipment and materials that will assist these families to build shelters that would provide safety to their families as they plan to build back permanent homes and ensure that ‘No family goes without shelter when disaster strikes’. The said items will be distributed to about 2000 families in Chikwawa and Mulanje districts. Each targeted household will receive 1 shelter Kit, 1 Kitchen set, 2 blankets, 2 sleeping mats, 2 mosquito nets, 2 solar light, 2 Jerry cans and 1 water purifier. HFH Malawi has already assisted 600 households in Chikwawa with emergency kits worth $25, 000 and continues to mobilize resources in order to reach out to more victims.

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School Sanitation Clubs geared to improve Sanitation.

Chikwawa is one of the districts in Malawi which has the lowest Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) coverage in schools. HFH Malawi in partnership with HFH Germany with funding from Jessy Oversees Aid (JOA) through the project titled “Improving WASH status in Primary Schools in Chikwawa District” seeks to contribute towards the construction improved pit latrines and handwashing facilities in the district. However, provision of WASH facilities in schools are not enough on themselves, students need to be taught on sanitation and hygiene practices. It is for this reason that HFH Malawi embarked on instituting School Sanitation Clubs in Chikwawa district. These Sanitation Clubs are expected to promote good hygiene practices in schools, such as solid waste management, handwashing with soap and life skills based on hygiene education. HFH Malawi believes that the adoption these clubs will promote good hygiene practices which will lead to a safer and more hygienic learning environment around the schools. The project will also use students as agents of change, to educate the communities they are coming from about good sanitation and hygiene. The project will institute 10 School Sanitation Clubs in Namapovu, Liwiro, Makanga, Mwalamba, Namisikizi, Nkopola, Nkombezi, Mazongoza, Namicheni and Utumbe schools in Chikwawa. So far two schools have been constituted and these are Namapovu and Bereu. Positive behavioral changes are already evident in the two schools with the Sanitation Clubs as compared to the other schools which do not have them. The Sanitation Clubs are already advocating for handwashing practices after using the toilet, proper use of urinals and toilets, keeping school surrounding clean; through proper use of refuse pit and collection of all refuse; advocating for clean and well covered food items sold at school premises; and promoting four major types of hygiene and thus Water, Food, Personal and surrounding.

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Building Homes, communities and hope: A Look at the Benefits of “Shoes that Grow” to Kachitsa Primary School and communities in Mgombe Village, TA Chadza in Lilongwe

Building Homes, communities and hope: A Look at the Benefits of “Shoes that Grow” to Kachitsa Primary School and communities in Mgombe Village, TA Chadza in Lilongwe This week Habitat for Humanity Malawi is hosting Paterson Habitat Team that are building three houses for orphans and other vulnerable groups in Mng’ombe Village, TA Chadza in Lilongwe. To show their support for our mission, they brought over 500 pairs of shoes and distributed to Kachitsa Primary School during the build week. While there are many benefits to wearing shoes, many pupils at Kachitsa Primary School in Lilongwe Rural East of Central Western Division are not able to enjoy these benefits because of the lack of adequate footwear accessible to them. This was observed last year when Habitat for Humanity Malawi hosted Paterson Habitat Team in the area where they were constructing three houses for the orphans and other Vulnerable Group (OVG). The Paterson Habitat Team has made it possible for those pupils most in need of adequate footwear to own a good pair of shoes and the “shoes that grow”. Knowing just how important proper footwear for school going pupils, Paterson Habitat Team mobilized U$D7500 to procure 514 pairs of these growing shoes to distribute to the pupils of Primary School alongside building three more houses in the same area this week beginning 5th to 10th November, 2018. The shoe distribution not only inspired our community a worthy cause, it also reminded them of why footwear for school going kids is so important. Shoes can improve quality of life, prevent injury & disease, help with healing for those with chronic foot conditions, express one’s self, reducing the risk of certain parasitic diseases and foot infections among others. While shoes have a basic functional purpose with many benefits, there are also psychological benefits to the personality development of adolescents. Indeed, shoes hold value that is unique to the person and their environment and this was observed when one Stephano Madeya a grade 3 pupil who upon receiving his pair, pronounced in vernacular “ine lero nde ndadala”, in english meaning today I am blessed. I could hear many pupils declaring that they will never again abscond from school upon receiving their pairs. Surely the shoe distribution had a magical transformation and perceived to turn pupils at Kachitsa from ordinary to a superstar or model. This is all fruits of the Orphans and other Vulnerable Groups Country Program for Habitat Malawi which is aimed at improving the living conditions of orphans and other vulnerable children through construction of decent houses and provision of other complimentary services.

Stories

Speach by the Board Member of Habitat For Humanity on World Cities day

SPEECH BY THE BOARD MEMBER MR GERALD KHONJE DURING THE COMMEMORATION OF THE WORLD HABITAT AND WORLD CITIES DAY AT MASINTHA GROUND ON 31ST OCTOBER, 2018. • The Guest of Honor, Minister of MoLHUD, Hon. Anna Namathanga Kachikho, MP • His Worship the Mayor of the Lilongwe City Council • The CEO of Lilongwe City Council • The Principle Secretary for the MoLHUD • Senior Government Officials from Ministries, Departments and Agencies • Civil Society Leaders • Media fraternity • Ladies and Gentlemen 1. Habitat for Humanity Malawi is glad to be part of Malawi’s commemoration of the International Day for World Habitat and World Cities Day today on 31st October, 2018 at Masintha School Ground, in Lilongwe. The World Habitat day, being commemorated under the theme “improving municipal solid management is critical for sustainable urban development” while the World Cities day is commemorated under the theme “building sustainable and resilient cities”. 2. Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 in USA as a grassroots effort. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in nearly 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. 3. In Malawi, Habitat for Humanity was established in 1986 and has since transformed the lives of over 40,000 families through various interventions including: a. Housing Microfinance under which people obtained loans to construct a new house or improve an existing house, b. Construction Technical Assistance to people obtaining home improvement loans from other organizations, c. Vulnerable Group Housing focusing on the housing needs of orphans and other vulnerable children including persons with disabilities, d. Disaster Risk Reduction focusing on empowering local communities on how they can build better and safer; e. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene focusing improved sanitation and water facilities in schools and communities in peri-urban areas. 4. Ladies and gentlemen in its new Strategy Habitat for Humanity is promoting access to adequate and affordable housing, sustainable cities, and increasing security of tenure hence its involvement in this year’s World Cities day. 5. Habitat for Humanity believes that cities are dynamic hubs of activities that are interconnected and continuously evolving. Housing can serve as a platform that connects and improves urban quality of life as an integral and integrating element of sound urban development and urban policies. But housing also relies on a broader enabling environment to fully foster strength, stability and self-reliance. Thus, in addition to boosting access to adequate and affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity commits to promoting sustainable cities, increasing security of tenure and catalyzing market development to implement the New Urban Agenda. 6. Habitat for Humanity Malawi believes that Housing is at the center of inclusive and prosperous cities for all. As such improving urban resilience for cities to withstand the prevailing shocks and stresses is of paramount importance as it can have a greater impact on the household income, food security and equity let alone on economic returns of the country. 7. Malawi living conditions in urban areas have significantly changed due to prevailing demographic, environmental, economic, social and spatial challenges. Yet over 16.4% of the Malawi population are residing in urban centers. Moreover, it is estimated that 30% of the population of Malawi will be urban based by 2030. As the nation continues to urbanize, there is a need to address the challenges that this poses in achieving sustainable, safe, equitable and resilient human settlements across the country, underscored by access to affordable housing and security of tenure. In recent years, numerous global agreements have been signed including the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, and the New Urban Agenda or NUA, laying a critical foundation for improving living conditions in our cities. 8. Habitat for Humanity Malawi commends government for its commitment in adopting the New Habitat Agenda by working towards the formulation of the National Urban Policy or NUP. Habitat for Humanity Malawi calls on government to expedite the finalization and adoption of the National Urban Policy as it is an essential component in achieving development outcomes of the New Urban Agenda. Government must also continue strengthening policy dialogue and make necessary investment to foster the implementation of existing policies including the National Urban Policy which we expect to be enforced in the near future. 9. The Guest of honor, it is a clear fact that making our cities sustainable and resilient is a collective responsibility. Habitat for Humanity Malawi also calls upon the citizenry to join hands in making sure that right precautions are taken when constructing houses. Citizens must ensure that houses are being built according to National guidelines for safer house construction. 10. The Guest of honor, ladies and gentlemen, as I already mentioned on the onset, this day of World Cities Day is being commemorated alongside the World Habitat Day under the theme “improving municipal solid management is critical for sustainable urban development. Habitat for Humanity Malawi commends Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development for organizing the clean-up campaign across the country which demonstrated the renewed commitment of managing solid wastes in our country. Habitat for Humanity Malawi joins the Ministry in calling upon the citizenry to ensure that we all take part in managing waste in our homes and all places. 11. The Guest of honor, ladies and gentlemen, let me end my speech by thanking the Ministry for organizing this event where Malawians can reflect over how we are building our cities to be sustainable and resilient, but also how we are managing our wastes. 12. Habitat for Humanity Malawi is committed in working with the Ministry in ensuring that all Malawians have a decent place to

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OVC SUCCESS STORY

Born in 1963, Alaina John is a mother of 7 but takes care of 6 children, 4 of her own and 2 grandchildren. Alaina was born in Mangochi District but her parents moved to Salima while she was still young. Alaina has never been to school. She does piece work to support her family. The house they were living in was very small and it gave them trouble during rainy seasons as rain water could go into the house through the roof. “Even when wild winds came, I was very worried as I often thought my house would blow off and cause injuries to me and my children,” she explained. Alaina is so excited about the new house and is looking forward to occupying it as her previous housing problems will be over because of the new house she will be living in. she wishes she could be assisted to start a business although she is a little older to be doing the business herself. She could rely on her 21 year old daughter to be helping her with that if they had enough funds to start a business. Alaina is grateful to the people who have supported her with the new house, both Habitat for Humanity Malawi and the Global Village volunteers who came to build the house for her. Life will never be the same for Alaina, her children and grandchildren.

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Proper Housing under TOUCHSTONE Project

Violet Kamfunseni is a 32-year-old woman who was born at Mpanje Village under Traditional Authority Kalonga in Salima district. She is a mother to 6 children namely: Patuma Banda aged 12, Chisomo Bulazilu aged 11, Emelles Jonas aged 10, Robert Nkhaliramo aged 8, Tomas Banda aged 4 and Rashida Banda aged 1. The parents of Violet originated from Salima and they all died sometime back. Violet has 4 sisters and one brother. She did her primary school for one year at Chikombola School. Violet dropped out because of lack of school fees. While at school she wanted to obtain some vocation skills when she finished basic education to help her generate income to provide for her daily needs. Violet has three wishes for her life and her family. Firstly, she wishes if she could have adequate food to feed her family all year round. She says she usually has to skip some meals to make sure that the family has something for the next day. Secondly, she wishes to have better clothes for her and her family to wear. Some of her children have torn clothes which makes her so sad. She would love to have soap to use for washing the clothes too. Thirdly, she wishes to have good beddings and mats to sleep on at night. During the winter season she and her children suffer a lot trying to keep warm and the beddings and mats would go a long way in changing that. Violet thanks Touchstone on behalf of her 6 children for changing her housing condition from a dilapidated house to live in a decent house courtesy of the Touchstone CPS team that came to build for her. Her previous house was very small that one child slept at the grandmother’s house which is not any better. Violet lived in a one roomed house which was very small with a grass thatched roof, the floor was made using dirt, with no ventilation and walls built using unburnt bricks. The house that Touchstone is built for her is spacious, roofed with iron sheets, walls built using burnt bricks and floor made of cement. Her previous house collapsed because of rains when she had just moved into the new house. Violet is now able to provide better necessities for her children because the money she gets from doing piece works is sorely used to buy food and clothes and does not need to go into maintaining their house, something which was a problem in the past. Before After

Why security of land tenure is crucial for the recovery of the disaster affected families.

Cyclone Idai Lessons Learnt Workshop to help disaster resilience in Malawi

KOICA impressed with HFHM work on response to Cyclone Idai

JRP Steel and Wire Ltd Donates Iron Sheets to Habitat for Humanity Malawi towards Post Disaster Recovery Interventions

No family goes without shelter when disaster strikes

School Sanitation Clubs geared to improve Sanitation.

Building Homes, communities and hope: A Look at the Benefits of “Shoes that Grow” to Kachitsa Primary School and communities in Mgombe Village, TA Chadza in Lilongwe

Speach by the Board Member of Habitat For Humanity on World Cities day

OVC SUCCESS STORY

Proper Housing under TOUCHSTONE Project

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