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With research staff from more than 60 countries, and offices across the globe, IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.

researcher spotlight

Ruth Meinzen-Dick

Ruth Meinzen-Dick is a Senior Research Fellow in the Natural Resources and Resilience Unit. She has extensive transdisciplinary research experience in using qualitative and quantitative research methods. Her work focuses on two broad (and sometimes interrelated) areas: how institutions affect how people manage natural resources, and the role of gender in development processes. 

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IFPRI currently has more than 600 employees working in over 80 countries with a wide range of local, national, and international partners.

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Development Strategies and Governance

Fundi Kayamba-Phiri

Learning & Capacity Strengthening Coordinator

Bio

Fundi Kayamba-Phiri is a Learning and Capacity Strengthening Coordinator in the Development Strategies and Governance Unit. She is currently the Strategic Learning Lead for the Titukulane Resilience Food Security Activity in Malawi, working with IFPRI as part of a consortium of six NGOs led by CARE International. In this role, Fundi leads learning for the project by connecting and supporting internal and external actors to learn and adapt from Titukulane’s outcomes and external impact. Fundi’s research interests revolve around sustainable food systems, inclusive governance of natural resources, and rural enterprise development. Her extensive background in the field of development includes working as a researcher at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) in Norway as well as serving as a development practitioner with various organizations in Malawi over the past 13 years. Fundi received her master’s degree in International Development Studies from NMBU and also holds a master’s degree in Social Practice from VID Vitenskapilige Høgskole in Norway.

Development Strategies and Governance

Publications

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Brief

Lessons from developing district-level M&E plans to implement the National Resilience Strategy

2023Kayamba-Phiri, Fundi
Details

Lessons from developing district-level M&E plans to implement the National Resilience Strategy

The National Resilience Strategy (NRS) aims to build resilience against economic and environmental shocks, promoting inclusive growth, food security, and well-being for all Malawians. The NRS consists of four pillars: (1) Resilient Agricultural Growth; (2) Risk Reduction, Flood Control and Early Warning and Response Systems; (3) Human Capacity, Livelihoods, and Social Protection; and (4) Catchment Protection and Management. Titukulane RFSA is piloting the NRS in Zomba and Mangochi districts, working with District Councils to coordinate implementation with various stakeholders. This learning brief highlights the lessons learned from developing the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plans in Zomba and Mangochi districts and offers recommendations for other districts planning to implement the National Resilience Strategy (NRS). The brief also discusses the Opportunities for Collaboration between National and District Pillar Leads and Aligning the NRS with Key Government Strategies, particularly the Malawi 2063 (MW 2063), to foster synergy and impact.

Year published

2023

Authors

Kayamba-Phiri, Fundi

Citation

Kayamba-Phiri, Fundi. 2023. Lessons from developing district-level M&E plans to implement the National Resilience Strategy. Titukulane RFSA Learning Brief June 2023. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

Country/Region

Malawi

Keywords

Africa; Eastern Africa; Resilience; Shocks; Food Security; Agriculture; Early Warning Systems; Flood Control; Capacity Development; Watersheds

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Links

https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.136821 Source record

Project

Climate Resilience

Record type

Brief

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Brief

From response to preparedness: Enhancing community-led disaster risk management in Malawi: Key findings and policy implications

2023Kayamba-Phiri, Fundi; Khulumbo, Burnnet; Nkhulembe, Maziko; Babu, Suresh Chandra; Ahsan, Sairana
Details

From response to preparedness: Enhancing community-led disaster risk management in Malawi: Key findings and policy implications

Key Messages:  Directing resources towards early warning systems and community sensitization mitigates the impact of natural disasters on vulnerable communities, prioritizing proactive measures over reactive responses.  To ensure effective and sustainable disaster risk management (DRM) initiatives, allocating resources to bolster district-level DRM structures in alignment with community-led resource mobilization efforts is crucial.  Recognizing the pivotal role of youth increases community anticipatory capacity through comprehensive disaster risk management training. Innovative approaches such as theatre for development foster civic engagement, community dialogue, and resource mobilization.  Inclusive participatory planning processes should embrace indigenous early warning information. In-vesting in automated community-based early warning systems, particularly focusing on agriculture and nutrition, facilitates timely decision-making and harnesses local wisdom.  To reduce vulnerability among low-income communities, forging partnerships with the private sector is crucial. Micro-insurance and asset options can be explored, empowering communities to enhance their resilience without imposing undue burdens.

Year published

2023

Authors

Kayamba-Phiri, Fundi; Khulumbo, Burnnet; Nkhulembe, Maziko; Babu, Suresh Chandra; Ahsan, Sairana

Citation

Kayamba-Phiri, Fundi; Khulumbo, Burnnet; and Nkhulembe, Maziko. 2023. From response to preparedness: Enhancing community-led disaster risk management in Malawi: Key findings and policy implications. Titukulane RFSA Policy Note 1. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.136823

Country/Region

Malawi

Keywords

Sub-saharan Africa; Africa; Eastern Africa; Insurance; Low Income Groups; Resources; Natural Disasters; Early Warning Systems; Youth; Agriculture; Disaster Risk Management; Nutrition; Resilience

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Links

https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.136823 Source record

Project

Climate Resilience

Record type

Brief

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Report

Community-led resource mobilization and early warning systems process assessment: Full report

2023Kayamba-Phiri, Fundi; Abbott, Daniel
Details

Community-led resource mobilization and early warning systems process assessment: Full report

This report examines the motivation and willingness of Village Civil Protection Committees (VCPCs) and communities to mobilize resources at community level for Disaster Risk Management (DRM). To do this, a participatory action research (PAR) approach was utilized, facilitated by SWOT analyses, in combination with focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs). The findings revealed that communities had prepositioned resources to prepare for disaster response as part of risk reduction. Participants identified their ability to mobilize themselves as a community; to mobilize funds and food; well trained and knowledgeable structures, good agricultural practices, and good governance as major strengths. Opportunities for resource mobilization included enterprise, piece work (ganyu), irrigation farming, access to safety net programs, and youth participation. Weaknesses included the disorganization of some community structures, lack of support or political will from community leaders and the government, lack of accountability from VCPC members, and reluctance to adopt improved agricultural practices. Community-based early warning systems, although available, are insufficient to provide effective risk reduction for natural disasters. There is a lack of documentation concerning indigenous early warning systems, which impedes the development of effective and contextual strategies for risk reduction. The recommendations include increasing awareness among traditional leaders, defining resource mobilization structures, documenting guidelines and transactions for transparency, investing in early warning infrastructure and capacity building, documenting indigenous early warning signs, and intensifying watershed restoration and conservation to increase disaster preparedness.

Year published

2023

Authors

Kayamba-Phiri, Fundi; Abbott, Daniel

Citation

Kayamba-Phiri, Fundi; and Abbott, Daniel. 2023. Community-led resource mobilization and early warning systems process assessment: Full report. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://ebrary.ifpri.org/digital/collection/p15738coll2/id/136721

Country/Region

Malawi

Keywords

Africa; Eastern Africa; Resource Management; Early Warning Systems; Disaster Risk Managment; Climate Resilience

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Source

Source record

Project

Climate Resilience

Record type

Report

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