Malawi Flood Crisis: Thousands Forced to Leave Evacuation Camps as Government Begins Decommissioning

Thousands of Malawians displaced by devastating floods are being compelled to leave evacuation camps and return to damaged homes as the government initiates the decommissioning of temporary shelters. The move marks a recent phase in the country’s recovery from a severe 2025–26 rainy season that caused widespread destruction across multiple districts.

According to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), the decision to close camps is driven by growing health concerns, with officials warning that prolonged stays increase the risk of disease outbreaks. Deputy Director for Preparedness Nelly Kalengamalilo stated that the decommissioning will be carried out in phases, beginning with regions like Zomba, where nine out of 23 evacuation camps have already been closed.

At the peak of the disaster, heavy rains and flooding between March 15 and 18, 2026, left at least 34 people dead—up from an earlier reported 13—and injured 197 others. In total, 69,088 households, representing approximately 310,896 people, were affected across 23 district and city councils nationwide. The hardest-hit district was Chikwawa, where 24,832 households were impacted and 1,828 people were displaced into 24 camps, resulting in nine deaths and 25 injuries. Machinga District also suffered significantly, with 7,045 households affected, three deaths, and 32 injuries reported.

Other impacted areas include Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba, and Karonga. Authorities, in partnership with the Malawi Red Cross Society, have begun distributing basic relief items to assist families during their transition. Over the weekend, support was provided to 400 households from six camps under Traditional Authority Kuntumanji in Zomba—some of the camps now closed.

DoDMA emphasized that the goal is to help displaced populations become self-reliant, encouraging engagement in irrigation farming to restore food security after many lost their crops and farmland. Meanwhile, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has issued weather advisories for northern lakeshore areas, forecasting heavy isolated rains and fog, and warning of continued strong Mwera winds across Lake Malawi. Residents and lake users have been urged to take precautions to prevent further damage and loss of life.

The situation underscores broader challenges related to climate resilience, as a recent report by DanChurchAid highlights a severe shortfall in international climate adaptation finance for vulnerable nations like Malawi. The assessment notes that global public funding for climate resilience from developed nations reached only $35.4 billion in 2023—far below the hundreds of billions needed annually to protect communities from worsening floods, droughts, and crop failures.

As Malawi navigates the aftermath of one of its worst flood events in recent years, the focus remains on safe, sustainable recovery—balancing immediate humanitarian needs with long-term resilience planning.