Climate refugees in Malawi

AllAfrica.com via Radio Netherlands Worldwide: Over 74 households in Malawi's southern district of Chikhwawa have become "refugees" of climate change due to flash flooding, forcing them to upsticks and move home in an attempt to survive. Residents of Ntombosola village, located about 100 kilometres from the commercial hub of Blantyre, have been forced to relocate over the past few years due to heavy flooding in southern Malawi.

"Initially, our houses were constructed a few metres away from the Mwanza river. In 2005 we experienced heavy flooding which forced us to move upland," explains Mrs Soko a resident from the village. "Since we went upland, we have had problems accessing water, a situation that has made us to return to our original base," she adds.

The head of the village, Chief Ntombosola, explains that he had no option but to listen to people's wishes to return to their former dwelling place which is also prone to flooding: "I am aware of the dangers we may face. If worst comes to worst we will move our houses to the nearby hill. We think this is a better move than keeping people upland where it is harder to survive."

Many women in the area, including those who are pregnant, have no option but to wake up as early as 3am to make the long trek to fetch water. "I think we are better here than when we were upland. It was horrible. We know climate change has made things worse the weather was normal when we were children," recalls Grace Molele, mother of three….