ABSTRACT:
The increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters demand health systems that are both resilient and sustainable. This case report from Phalombe District, Malawi, illustrates how community structures and multisectoral partnerships contributed to strengthening the local health system’s resilience during the devastating Cyclone Freddy floods in 2023. In response to the disaster, Community Health Action Groups (CHAGs) and village health volunteers played a frontline role, mobilizing local resources, delivering health messages amid a cholera scare, and ensuring rapid and culturally appropriate responses. Their integration into the formal health system proved critical in sustaining essential health services and maintaining community trust amidst the crisis. National and international implementing partners supported the health sector through coordinated logistics, provision of emergency medical supplies, and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure. This collaborative approach exemplifies how strategic partnerships can enhance the adaptive capacity of health systems in emergencies. Key strategies included investing in the training of local health personnel, establishing district-level coordination platforms, and pre-positioning emergency health commodities from the national to the regional level. The experience also underscored the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure and alignment with global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction to ensure long-term system strengthening. This case highlights how integrating community systems and partner networks into emergency preparedness and response frameworks not only improves immediate crisis management but also lays the foundation for sustainable health system resilience. The lessons from Phalombe District provide a replicable model for building robust, inclusive health systems capable of withstanding future shocks.