CSOs Call for Stronger Funding Systems for Vulnerable Communities

During the 5th African Regional Conference on Loss and Damage held in Lilongwe, Malawi, civil society organizations (CSOs) emphasized the need to strengthen national systems for funding vulnerable communities. Luci Mwangi, a director at the conference, highlighted that bypassing national systems risks undermining the effectiveness of climate finance interventions.

Mwangi noted that a stronger system would empower communities to actively participate in their recovery and resilience rather than remaining passive beneficiaries. She pointed out that Malawi is increasingly embedding loss and damage financing within its national and district disaster risk management systems, involving community actors in identifying risks and prioritizing investments.

Mwangi stressed the critical role of NGOs as intermediaries linking communities with global finance systems to ensure effective last-mile delivery. Furthermore, she warned that without robust inclusive systems, loss and damage financing risks falling short of its intended impact.

The conference also revealed that climate-related budget allocations in ten countries, including Malawi, range from just 0.1% to 2.8% of national budgets, highlighting an urgent need for increased investment.