Earth Today | Building urban climate resilience in southeastern Africa

AS THE urban landscape in Africa undergoes unprecedented growth, the region faces a dual challenge – rapid urbanisation and the escalating impacts of climate change.

Southeastern Africa in particular is witnessing a surge in disasters such as cyclones, floods, and droughts, amplifying risks for its burgeoning urban population. The severity and unpredictability of climate change-induced events increase these risks, and the most affected are often marginalised groups living on low incomes, including women, girls, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, and seasonal migrants.

In the wake of escalating climate challenges, a beacon of hope shines brightly in southeastern Africa. The ‘Building Urban Climate Resilience in Southeastern Africa’ project, funded by the Adaptation Fund and implemented by UN-Habitat, in partnership with OXFAM, the Disaster Risk Management Sustainability and Urban Resilience technical centre (DiMSUR), and national governments of the affected countries, is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing climate change.

Spanning from 2020 to 2024, this ambitious initiative aimed at bolstering urban climate resilience in four key cities: Morondava in Madagascar, Zomba in Malawi, Chokwe in Mozambique, and Moroni in Comoros.

A layered strategy of building resilience has proven effective by addressing its complex and interconnected nature at regional, national and local levels. Through regional cross-fertilisation, it strengthened national institutional frameworks and implemented local participatory planning processes alongside infrastructure development.

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In Zomba, reforestation projects are enhancing biodiversity, while simultaneously providing natural buffers against extreme weather events. In Morondava, the project has championed the use of mangroves to combat climate change and enhance urban resilience.

In Chokwé, recycling initiatives and community education programmes are empowering residents to play an active role in maintaining a clean environment. Additionally, the region has established an early warning system (EWS) through the revitalisation of a local radio station.

In Moroni, the EWS features the construction of tanks to capture and store rainwater, so as to provide a reliable source of water for domestic use and agriculture – which is crucial in a region frequently plagued by water scarcity.

“Before each and every project begins, we must involve the community, brief them, enlighten them, share with them the information, and then plan together, work together until the end,” said Munira Bakali, vice-mayor of Zomba City.