Communities have the power to inclusively and collectively make meaningful decisions on matters affecting them only when there are platforms where everyone is free to participate. The Umunthu Circles dialogue is one such space where every participant shares their perspectives on matters affecting them. Community leaders, authorities, and survivors from GVHs Ngabu and Mbenje of Nsanje took turns in expressing their understanding of issues of non-economic loss and damage (NELD) according to their lived experiences through art and in-depth conversations.
“I have assisted one of the men in my community in accessing conjugal rights with his wife after devasting floods took away this privilege since his family was forced to stay at a displacement camp where men and women live in separate shelters.” Narrates Friday Wellos, GVH Ngabu VCPC Chair.
It was disclosed that only a few men are brave enough to report and approach camp authorities when they are faced with this issue because they are private matters. Most of them satisfy their needs outside marriage which has led to the spread of STIs including HIV, Child neglect, and deteriorating mental wellbeing among survivors.
Participants also decried rising illiteracy, prostitution, crime, and drug abuse among children because of the overwhelming challenges that families undergo in sustaining their educational needs during and after leaving the displacement camps.
“Government and its partners should build strong infrastructure such as school blocks and bridges which are crucial in ensuring that education is not disrupted when disasters strike.” Suggested Rebecca Monday from GVH Mbenje.
Among others, the participants suggested formulation of community environment protection and conservation committees, relocation of vulnerable villages to upper lands, the establishment of irrigation schemes, water conservation, provision of special farm input subsidies for winter cropping, structured markets for legumes and cash-revolving programs.
