Malawi: On the Frontline of the Climate Crisis

Malawi is already feeling the serious effects of climate change. Even though the country produces very little pollution (<0.01% of global emissions), it is being hit hard by dangerous storms, long droughts, and disease outbreaks that are putting lives and livelihoods at risk.

In just the past two years, Malawi has faced powerful cyclones, crop failures from drought, and the return of deadly diseases like cholera. As weather becomes more extreme, it is making it harder for people to grow food, stay healthy, and earn a living.

From Drought to Disaster

The rainy season in 2023/24, which was affected by El Niño, brought big problems. The rains came late and stopped often, especially in southern and central Malawi. Because of this, many crops failed.

Maize—a staple in Malawi—dropped by 45% compared to the previous five-year average.

In March 2024, President Lazarus Chakwera declared a state of disaster in 23 out of 28 districts. Nearly 2 million farming families were affected. That means over 9 million people were facing food insecurity.

Since most people in Malawi depend on farming to live, these crop losses don’t just cause hunger. They also affect health, education, and income.

Cyclones That Leave Lasting Damage

In March 2023, Cyclone Freddy hit southern Malawi hard. It killed over 1,000 people, destroyed homes and roads, and flooded farmlands.

The cyclone also harmed the country’s access to healthcare:

• $4.14 million in damage to health services
• 340,000 children under five affected
• 175,000 people living with HIV had their care disrupted
• 90,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women lost access to support

Later, Cyclone Chido in December 2024 and Cyclone Jude in March 2025 also caused major damage. Between both cyclones – over 46,000 people were affected, at least 253 homes were damaged, more than 20 people were injured or killed and access was disrupted to multiple health facilities.

These storms are happening more often, giving communities less time to recover.

When Water Becomes A Danger

After Cyclone Freddy, Malawi faced its worst cholera outbreak ever. From 2022 to 2024, nearly 2,000 people died from cholera. And even after the outbreak was declared over, new cases returned in late 2024.

Diseases like cholera and typhoid, which spread through dirty water, are becoming more common. At the same time, diseases like malaria and dengue are rising because of warm temperatures and standing water, which help mosquitoes breed.

These health problems are made worse by broken infrastructure, limited clean water leading to water insecurity, and overburdened hospitals.

Read more about the health risks of climate change here.

Climate Change Hurts Malawi Disproportionately

The impacts of drought, floods, and disease are also damaging Malawi’s economy. Every year, the country loses about 1.7% of its GDP due to climate shocks.  

Small farmers—who grow most of Malawi’s food—are losing more each year. As farming struggles, so does the country’s stability. Poverty and hunger are rising, and more people are depending on emergency aid to survive. 

This is a clear case of climate injustice. Malawi produces less than 0.01% of global emissions, yet it is suffering some of the worst impacts of a crisis it did not cause. 

Learn more about socio-economic risks caused by climate change here.

Climate Risks Daily

Extreme weather is happening more often—and it’s happening fast. 

Climate Risks Daily is a powerful tool that helps track real-time threats in Malawi and other countries. It shows updates on droughts, storms, floods, and health risks, all in one place. You can filter updates by region or type of risk. 

Visit Climate Risks Daily on the Global Climate Risks Platform to stay informed and prepared.