INTEGRATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTABILITY AND DISASTERS FRAMEWORK IN STRENGTHENING RESILIENCE IN MALAWI. A CASE STUDY OF MCHINJI DISTRICT.

This study examines the integration of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) frameworks in strengthening community resilience to climate-related hazards in Malawi, with a focus on Traditional Authority (T/A) Simphasi in Mchinji District. Malawi frequently experiences climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, strong winds, and prolonged dry spells, which continue to affect livelihoods, food security, infrastructure, and vulnerable populations. Despite the existence of climate and disaster management policies, challenges such as weak institutional coordination, limited resources, and inadequate community participation continue to hinder effective implementation. The study employed a comprehensive research methodology involving data collection from both primary and secondary sources to assess the effectiveness of integrating CCA and DRR frameworks in reducing vulnerability and enhancing adaptive capacity. The findings indicate that integrated CCA and DRR approaches can improve disaster preparedness, response, and long-term resilience among communities. However, barriers including insufficient funding, technical capacity gaps, and policy implementation challenges remain significant. The study recommends strengthening stakeholder coordination, enhancing community participation, increasing investment in climate adaptation initiatives, and promoting sustainable resilience strategies. Overall, the research contributes to the understanding of how integrated CCA and DRR frameworks can support disaster risk management and resilience building among vulnerable communities in Malawi.