Photo: GPE/Trans Lieu

Photo essay: climate resilience in Malawi

Climate Change and Education

Contributor February 3, 2026 · 2 min read

In Malawi, the Climate Smart Education Systems Initiative – led by the Government of Malawi and supported by GPE in partnership with UNESCO, UNESCO-IIEP, and Save the Children – is helping build a more resilient education system. Through school safety drills, emergency preparedness training, and climate-smart planning, the programme equips schools and communities to protect children’s learning from the growing impacts of floods, droughts, and other climate-related hazards.

One school is Phalombe District in southern Malawi, is practicing four types of drills: fire, earthquake, flood, and protection scenarios. The activity helps children learn how to respond safely in emergencies, guided by clear sign boards and coloured flags across the school grounds.

Students practice drills that build knowledge and confidence in responding to climate-related emergencies.

As part of the second safety drill a simulation of an earthquake – one of the teachers is making a emergency phone call for help.

When the sound of trembling ground echoes through the classroom, students quickly take cover and then evacuate under their teacher’s guidance, following marked routes to designated safe zones.

As part of the safety drill on protection, a student charity discusses the Child Helpline (116), a toll-free service that children, parents and community members can call to report cases of child abuse, violence or neglect, or to seek counselling and support.

The Climate Smart Education Systems Initiative is helping build a more resilient education system. Through school safety drills, emergency preparedness training, and climate-smart planning, the programme equips schools and communities to protect children’s learning from the growing impacts of floods, droughts, and other climate-related hazards.

A group of parents have prepared drawings with key messages in the local language (Chichewa) to accompany their song they have prepared to accompany the start of the safety drill exercise.

A group of students are simulating a press conference, whereby different students take up the role of various stakeholders, such as journalists, school and community representatives.