Malawi - Two months after heavy rains and flooding struck parts of Malawi, the first IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report indicates that an estimated 162,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain in 202 sites across the six worst-affected districts.

The DTM report, published by IOM Malawi in conjunction with the Malawian Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), contains information on displacement in the worst-affected districts in southern Malawi, which are Nsanje, Chikwawa, Zomba, Phalombe, Mulanje and Blantyre.

Following the flooding, the emergency response was initially hampered by a lack of coordinated information on displacement. IOM stepped in to provide this information in order for partners to respond quickly to the needs of the displaced.

Since the roll out of the DTM on 20 February 2015, IOM teams have been collecting, analyzing and disseminating information to partners on the status and conditions of displacement sites, as well as the numbers, needs and movements of IDPs.

“The DTM has helped to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian actors in Malawi to address the emergency and protection needs of affected populations,” said IOM Malawi Chief of Mission Gideon Madera.

“The report on the first round of full DTM site assessments provides the Government of Malawi and humanitarian partners with more in-depth information relating to all key emergency response sectors, including protection, shelter, water and sanitation (WASH), health, and food security.”

The DTM report indicates a decrease in the estimated IDP population since early March, due to the spontaneous return of IDPs to their places of origin, as weather and accessibility improves with the rainy season drawing to an end. However, humanitarian needs still remain acute, particularly in terms of shelter, food and livelihoods, as the floods destroyed homes and caused significant damage to crops.

Since farming is the main livelihood in Malawi, the floods damage has left IDPs without any income, which has increased their vulnerability.  Furthermore, as the rainy season ends, opportunities for IDPs to earn money through agriculture are diminishing further.

“The DTM Report contains important data on the villages of origin of IDPs and their stated return intentions. This information will assist the government authorities in their decision-making processes as they pursue durable solutions for displaced communities,” Mr. Madera added.

Despite the difficulties facing IDPs, many are choosing to return to their places of origin to begin to rebuild their lives. If more movements of IDPs from camps to their communities of origin are observed in the next weeks, IOM will adapt the DTM according to the needs and realities on the ground.

The Government of Malawi endorsed a Durable Solutions Framework on 26 March 2015, which seeks to ensure that the integration, return, relocation or resettlement of IDPs takes places in a way that respects the IDPs and protects their rights.

For further information, please contact Gideon Madera at IOM Malawi. Tel: +265 88 155 2374, Email:gmadera@iom.int