LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-In a significant stride toward enhancing climate resilience and disaster preparedness, Malawi’s Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS), under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, has successfully piloted the Platform for Real-time Impact and Situation Monitoring (PRISM) tool in five drought-prone districts.
The pilot phase was conducted in Mangochi, Machinga, Zomba, Phalombe, and Nsanje—regions historically affected by severe weather shocks and food insecurity.
According to DCCMS officials, the PRISM tool integrates multiple data sources including satellite imagery, rainfall patterns, soil moisture levels, vegetation health indices, and socioeconomic indicators to deliver real-time insights into drought conditions and their potential impacts on vulnerable communities.
Speaking during a national stakeholder engagement meeting focused on drought monitoring and anticipatory action on Wenesday in Lilongwe,Yusuf Nkungula, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, hailed the initiative as a vital step forward in Malawi’s climate adaptation efforts.
“This meeting marks a significant milestone in our journey to build a more resilient Malawi one that is better prepared to anticipate, respond to, and mitigate the impacts of climate-induced disasters, particularly droughts,” said Nkungula.
“As we all know, Malawi is increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Droughts, once considered rare, are now frequent and more severe, threatening our food systems, water resources, and the livelihoods of millions.”
The PRISM system is also expected to strengthen disaster risk financing and enhance coordination among government bodies, humanitarian organizations, and development partners.
Daniel Svanlund, a representative from the World Food Programme (WFP), reiterated WFP’s commitment to supporting Malawi’s climate adaptation and disaster preparedness:
“Our goal is to help the country shift from reactive responses to proactive risk management. The PRISM system enables evidence-based decision-making, allowing stakeholders to act before disaster strikes saving lives, resources, and livelihoods,”said
Svanlund.
Svanlund highlighted the pilot’s success in improving drought forecasting, facilitating targeted early interventions, and enabling more efficient resource allocation.
Experts believe Malawi’s early adoption of PRISM could serve as a model for other countries in Southern Africa, where the frequency and severity of climate-related disasters continue to rise.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has already shown interest in regional collaboration on climate information systems and drought preparedness.
PRISM is a tool developed by the World Food Programme (WFP) and partners with funding support from the Government of Norway. Designed to support early warning and anticipatory action, PRISM uses geospatial analytics to deliver a detailed, real-time picture of climate hazards, food security, and population vulnerabilities enabling governments and agencies to act before disasters escalate.