Cisonecc calls for review of Insurance Act

 


By Kondwani Nyondo

The Civil Society Network on Climate Change (Cisonecc) has called for a review of Malawi’s Insurance Act to align it with the Disaster Risk Management Act and other climate-related policy documents.

Cisonecc National Coordinator Julius Ng’oma made the call during a stakeholders' meeting in Mponela, where he highlighted gaps in the current legislation, particularly its failure to provide clear guidelines for smallholder farmers vulnerable to climate-related disasters.

“As a country, we need to do more in financing mechanisms to support vulnerable communities that largely depend on agriculture. The main problem is that the Insurance Act lacks proper provisions for farmers. This needs to be reviewed to align with other climate change policy documents,” Ng’oma said.

The call comes amid recurring disasters such as floods and droughts, which have worsened food insecurity in Malawi.

 According to the 2023 Global Hunger Index, Malawi ranked 88 out of 125 countries facing food and nutrition security challenges.

Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Abel Chiwatakwenda, a lecturer in atmospheric sciences and climatology at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), supported Cisonecc’s stance.

He however urged for further research to determine the best approach for a government-led crop insurance program.

He warned that without proper scientific calculations and data verification, insurance companies could evade responsibility for payouts, leaving farmers without meaningful support.

“Crop insurance is a relatively new concept in Malawi, and it has gaps, including a sparse climate data network. Many farmers also struggle to understand why they should pay premiums that are non-refundable. Research is needed to address these issues and ensure insurance companies can properly validate disaster claims,” Chiwatakwenda said.

Chief Meteorologist for Climate Change and Research at the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, Patrick Mtingwi, commended stakeholders for their efforts in raising awareness about the importance of crop and livestock insurance.

“If we streamline and coordinate our efforts, we can provide stronger support to communities affected by climate disasters. This coordination is essential for managing both climate change and disaster risks,” Mtingwi said.

With support from the German government through CARE Germany and CARE Malawi, Cisonecc is implementing the Multi-Actor Partnerships (MAPS) Program.

 The initiative aims to strengthen structures, coordination, and capacities to support human rights-based and gender-responsive disaster risk financing and insurance approaches aligned with Malawi’s Vision 2025.

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