RCRP-2 Hands Over Site for Design of National Disaster and Climate Resilience Centre

The second phase of the Regional Climate Resilience Program (RCRP-2) has taken a major step toward strengthening Malawi’s disaster preparedness by officially handing over the site for the design and supervision of the proposed Disaster Management and Climate Resilience Centre.

The site handover marks a key milestone in the country’s efforts to build stronger systems for responding to disasters and adapting to the growing threats posed by climate change.

Under the agreement, the consultancy firm Jose Ferraz & Associados S.A., working in a joint venture with local firm AWW Limited, has been tasked with designing the facility and supervising its construction.

Officials say the consultancy work is expected to be completed by July 2026, paving the way for the construction of what is expected to become Malawi’s central hub for disaster coordination and climate resilience planning.

Speaking during the handover, Chief Disaster Resilience Officer at the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Sam Gama, stressed the importance of moving quickly with the assignment to ensure that construction begins without unnecessary delays.

“We expect to spend more time on the construction phase than on the designing process,” said Gama, underscoring the urgency of delivering the project.

The planned centre will be located at Capital Hill in Area 20 and is expected to bring together key government institutions responsible for disaster response and climate monitoring under one roof.

Once completed, the facility will house the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS), the Department of Water Resources (DWR), as well as the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).

Authorities say consolidating these critical departments in one location will improve coordination, strengthen early warning systems, and enhance the country’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to natural disasters.

Malawi has in recent years faced increasingly frequent climate-related shocks, including floods, droughts and cyclones, placing pressure on national response systems. The new centre is therefore expected to play a crucial role in strengthening institutional preparedness and improving disaster response coordination nationwide.