Rapid Impact and Needs Assessment

Following cyclone Idai, a Rapid Impact and Needs Assessment (RINA) Post-disaster assessment was performed on all bridge infrastructure in Malawi. The assessment focused on the visual assessment of the bridges and supplemented by a baseline data analysis of the infrastructure sectoral data assessment from government, humanitarian partners, development partners, and private sector sources.

The assessment provided (i) a detailed estimation of the damage and recovery needs related to the impact of cyclone Idai for bridges; (ii) detailed, costed, and prioritized needs for recovery for all included sectors of the scope of work, but primarily bridges; (iii) recommendations to improve resilience, especially for the most vulnerable sectors as well as guidance and standards for integration of climate risk in infrastructure design; (iv) an overall recovery strategy.

Three (3) main roads have been damaged. East Bank road (Thabwa to Fatima) is completely damaged. M1 road next to Kamuzu Bridge in Chikwawa has been completely cut off. On Makanjira Road, four bridges have been washed away, in addition, a bridge on Old Mwanza Road also washed away.