By Yamikani Yapuwa

Thyolo, January 6, Mana: People in Thyolo district have expressed hope that trees being planted under Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) will help to avert effects of climate change that come due to absence of trees.

Speaking during a supervision visit on Friday, one of the participants of the programme under Chimbidzi Catchment in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Changata, Mphatso Chandamale, said trees that were planted last cycle look promising since people are now aware of the importance of trees.

"Our area was heavily affected by the Cyclone Freddy with lots of roofs blown away. This happened because we have no trees to protect us from the strong winds.

"But with the coming of this programme, we are sure that in the next three to four years, it will be a thing of the past because the whole area will be covered and there will be protection from strong winds,” he said.

Another participant, Donata Phiri, whose house was damaged by strong winds, said the programme has even inspired her to plant more trees in the hotshots as well as around her house after having a bad experience from the effects of climate change.

"My house is located where wind blows heavily because there is no any tree around. It is against this background that I will plant more trees around my house so that similar incidents can be avoided in future," she said.

Desk Officer for CS-EPWP in Thyolo, Francis Yohane, said it is encouraging to see communities embracing the programme, observing that this is a symbol that people have started owning it.

He added that the second cycle has started well in all the 16 catchments where the programme is being implemented and participants are expected to continue planting trees, as well as carrying out water and land conservation activities.

CS-EPWP, a programme under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP), is being implemented with support from the Malawi Social Protection Multi Donor Trust funded by World Bank, USAID, Iceland, Ireland, UK-FCDO, EU and Norway.