This article analyses vulnerability to climate related shocks across five districts in the shire river
basin of Malawi. The analysis employs an indicator approach that integrates biophysical and socio-
economic indices. Principal component statistical analysis was used to calculate an index for
adaptive capacity, sensitivity and exposure to climate impact for each of the five districts. These
indices were aggregated to develop a vulnerability index differentiated also by gender for the
surveyed districts. The results showed that Chikwawa, Machinga and Blantyre appear to be more
vulnerable to climate related shocks compared with Mwanza and Zomba. Women in Chikwawa are
also found to be the most susceptible to the climate hazards impacts. To reduce vulnerability to
climate impact, the study suggests that the national adaptation strategies adopted by the government
should be mainstreamed into specific local adaptation actions that can be accessible and
adopted by the community. Specific emphasis should be given to the improvement of women’s
welfare through better access to productive assets and resources.
Keywords
Climate Change, Vulnerability, Principal Component Analysis, Malawi, Shire River Basin