| dc.description.abstract | This thesis is the result of the research project carried out as part of the Master Programme MPhil in Development Studies, Specialising in Geography, at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The aim of the study has been to describe and discuss the water and sanitation recovery process in Phalombe and Nsanje Districts, Malawi, following the 2015 Southern African Flood. The study includes an investigation of the opportunities and challenges related to the recovery process and the nature of the involvement of different actors, with special focus on the contribution of local communities, local government and the importance of outside assistance.
The data was collected during by using a case study approach, choosing two districts and four villages within the districts. The study uses a qualitative methodology, and the research methods consists primarily of interviews and focus group discussions with villagers in the four villages, local authority figures and District Government representatives, as well as a representative from UNICEF, which were the co-leading body of the WASH cluster.
The study shows that the water and sanitation infrastructure not only suffers from direct, structural damage, but also indirect damage caused by the population displacement that follows the flood event as the existing facilities in some areas are being overused. In addition, recovery, resilience and adaptation are being used central concepts in this study. A quick recovery, high resilience, and appropriate disaster adaptation can lead to an increased preparedness and mitigation towards future disasters, which could lead to fewer losses and less damages in the future. | nb_NO |
