Abstract:
The urban centre of Karonga in Malawi experiences many large and
small disasters, including earthquakes, strong winds and floods. Inhabitants also
face such everyday risks as unsafe water, poor-quality sanitation and widespread
use of dirty fuels within households. However, the nature and scale of the risks are
poorly understood. Based on data from 380 systematically selected households in
Karonga, this paper explores the frequency and impacts of small and large disasters
and everyday risks, finding informal settlements in flood zones to be most affected.
Impacts vary according to differences in levels of income, planning and housing
status, access to water, sanitation and the type of energy used by households.
Attempts to reduce and respond to disaster risk are affected by weak governance
structures. The knowledge can create the basis for capacity building at both the
community and local government levels.
