Master's Scholarship in Disaster Management Policy “Flood Disaster Risk Reduction” – A Catalyst for Malawi's Resilience

Embarking on this educational journey as part of the first cohort of master’s students in Flood Disaster Risk Reduction, we stand on the precipice of transformative learning. This article attempts to explain the goals intrinsic to our training, the tender connection between our studies and the flood-related challenges in Malawi, and the prospective benefits that our expertise will bring to the nation.

Water-Related Disaster Management Course of Disaster Management Program Policy administered as “JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program” is a Master's degree course offered by the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), the International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM), and Public Works Research Institute (PWRI) under the auspices of UNESCO, supported by Official Development Assistance from the Government of Japan. The program targets technical officers, engineers, and researchers of government institutions involved in river management and water-related disasters from various developing countries.

The 1-year Master's program is designed to equip us with a comprehensive understanding of flood dynamics, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies by engaging in cutting-edge research, hands-on fieldwork, and collaborative projects.

Climate variability and climate change have accelerated the frequency and intensity of hydrometeorological-related disasters including floods, dry spells, landslides, debris flows, etc. Malawi has experienced extreme rainfall events due to tropical cyclones' influencing rainfall that has led to multiple flood and sediment-related disasters, with the recent March 2023 Tropical Cyclone Freddy disaster. The flood disasters have negatively affected millions of people and caused physical damages and economic losses.

By understanding the degrees of our nation's vulnerabilities, coupled with practical knowledge of real-world case studies, field visits, and individual research studies we are better positioned to develop strategies that are not only effective but also culturally and contextually relevant to disaster risk reduction and nation resilience. In addition, learning from Japanese experience in disaster risk management provides a great opportunity to transfer expertise that can contribute to Malawi's sustainable development.

As officers from the government department responsible for disaster risk management in the country, It is a great opportunity to study Disaster Management Policy -“Flood Disaster Risk Reduction” at the master’s degree to enhance our capacity to design and implement various disaster risk management programs.

As pioneering scholars, we envision a mass of advantages that our training will bring to Malawi in the following areas:

The goal of our master’s Program aligns with the pressing needs of Malawi, and the benefits extend to the foundation of our nation's resilience. With the newly acquired expertise, we strive to be the catalysts for change, contributing to a safer, more resilient Malawi in the face of flood disasters.