Malawi Floods

Overview

Beginning March 15, 2026, continuous heavy rainfall caused catastrophic flash flooding across 29 councils in Malawi, with Chikwawa District in the Southern Region sustaining the most severe damage as the Shire River basin overflowed. Five districts — Chikwawa, Phalombe, Zomba, Machinga, and Mangochi — were particularly hard hit. By March 31, at least 40 people had been killed, 197 injured, and over 310,000 affected across approximately 69,000 households. More than 6,100 households were sheltered in 84 displacement camps. Crops, livestock, and small businesses were swept away, and most drinking-water points in the affected areas were destroyed. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) activated a national emergency response and appealed to development partners for humanitarian support. The Malawi Red Cross assisted more than 20,000 people in Nkhotakota, distributing shelter items and cash assistance. Habitat for Humanity Malawi distributed at least 600 Emergency Shelter Kits — consisting of tarpaulins, ropes, water-collection buckets, solar lights, and hygiene items — with plans to reach at least 2,000 households. Save the Children delivered cash transfers, clean water, and health services to affected families. The European Union allocated €200,000 to the IFRC Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the response. Rural communities dependent on the Shire River basin's agricultural output faced acute food-security risks heading into the lean season.