A household-level flood social vulnerability index in Malawi: exploring the intersection between farming and non-farming households

This study develops a Household Flood Social Vulnerability Index (HFSVI) for Malawi, using detailed census-level data from the Unified Beneficiary Registry (UBR). Focusing on Nsanje, one of the country’s most flood-prone districts, it seeks to identify and compare the vulnerabilities of farming and non-farming households. By applying Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the study constructs household-level vulnerability profiles that consider both sensitivity and adaptive capacity. This approach addresses a gap in existing flood vulnerability assessments, which often overlook intra-district variation and the specific challenges faced by agricultural households.

The results show substantial spatial and demographic differences in flood vulnerability. Poverty emerged as the key driver across both household types, but farming households were further affected by factors like limited land access and irrigation. Households in remote and flood-exposed areas like TA Nyachikadza were especially vulnerable. The index also revealed that vulnerabilities are not evenly distributed, even within small areas. These insights can help better target disaster preparedness, anticipatory cash transfers, and equitable relief in flood-affected regions.