Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa urges Caritas Malawi to prepare for El Niño impacts

Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa has urged Caritas organizations in Malawi to strengthen their preparedness for the potential impacts of El Niño later this year and next year. Speaking at the Caritas Malawi Country Forum, the chairperson of the Catholic Secretariat noted that the country faces threats to food security, agriculture, water availability, and the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.

The Malawi Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) issued a 2026/2027 Seasonal Outlook indicating a high likelihood of below-normal rainfall across much of southern and central Malawi. A previous DCCMS brief warned of significant rainfall risks between October and December, noting that El Niño could lead to increased crop failure and reduced yields for maize and other crops. The World Meteorological Organization also reported an 80 percent probability of El Niño during the June to August 2026 period.