Malawi Floods - DREF Review

Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) is an active partner of IFRC, respected as a ‘first responder’ in disaster management in Malawi. During four months in 2013, the MRCS responded to the Mangochi floods with the support of a Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) operation.
The purpose and objectives of the review and lessons learned workshop convened at the closure of 2013 DREF flood operations in Malawi were: to examine if the DREF operation has achieved its goal, objectives and expected results; to assess key achievements, areas of success and challenges, as well as areas for improvement within the operation and make recommendations to replicate or improve future disasters responses; and to identify lessons learned and good practices.

The review was conducted in Lilongwe as well as the Mangochi District where the flood occurred. The review involved interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. A one day lessons learned workshop brought together the MRCS Headquarters, Mangochi Branch and volunteers. The workshop was participatory and required those present to analyse the strengths and challenges of the operation from different perspectives and develop their own recommendations for future operations.