Karonga is one of the districts in Malawi which is prone to floods, earthquakes and strong winds. After a thorough research conducted by Mzuzu university urban ark in Karonga district, floods occur due to careless cutting down of trees by indigenous people for fish drying as Karonga is a lakeshore district, charcoal burning as many rely on it for income and cooking as many have no access to electricity or have no alternative to the use of firewood energy. These reasons encourage people to embark on cutting down of trees without necessarily being conscious of the impact. TWESA in community development thought it wise to reduce the impact by bringing in an initiative that is easy to be adapted by community members as it is cost effective. To add on that, Karonga district has no facility that can bring people together in combating climate change issues while climate change is major problem in the district. Thus, construction of a climate change management resource center is crucial since it will be an open door for tackling climate change issues even after phasing of the project. Many households use three stone stoves for cooking and drying of fish since access to electricity is not there. Use of improved brick stoves will at any cost reduce use of firewood, emission of gas (smoke) and the impact that fire has on women who always cook for the family. The improved brick stove is efficient and effective. Introduction of improved brick stoves will reduce the impact of floods such as deaths, loss of property and district council expenditure on disaster preparedness and recovery. In addition, the project is targeting people at household level and ensures direct interaction between project facilitators and beneficiaries as the final thing to be done requires interdependence between these two.
The project aims at persuading people to reduce the use of firewood which will automatically reduce the rate at which people cut down trees. Not only that but also reducing the rate at which gases are emitted into the atmosphere as less use of firewood entails less gas emission. The smoke depletes the ozone layer. In specific, the project will help to increase awareness and participation of the community on climate change issues with the introduction of the resource center. The project will also enhance coordination of stakeholders as far as climate change management is concerned. Again, the project shall help to sensitize the community on the impact of climate change due to selling of locally available trees. Reduction in gas emission helps in reduction of air pollution which is one the tasks under environment management.
The impact of the project will be so huge to environment and community after implementation. Firstly, there will be enhancement in forestry management as a result of reduction in use of firewood. Secondly, the amount at which gas is emitted into the atmosphere shall be considerably reduced due to reduced smoke emission. The community shall have increased awareness and participation as far as climate change management is concerned. In addition, the project shall help to intensify coordination among stakeholders in combating climate change issues with the help of the resource center. Indirectly, the project shall help to ensure good health of the community as the improved brick stove contain heat inside it unlike three stone stoves which directly expose many to fire. To a large extent, TWESA shall have increased knowledge and experience in project implementation and management and shall strengthen the relationship with GEF