Wonderful Kunje

Wonderful Idrissah Kunje is a seasoned Information Management and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) professional with over a decade of experience in data systems, GIS, disaster preparedness, and humanitarian operations. Currently serving as the PMER Coordinator at the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS), Wonderful has played a pivotal role in strengthening data driven decision making, developing robust monitoring frameworks, and supporting anticipatory action initiatives to enhance emergency preparedness and response.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Information Technology from Zanzibar University and is currently pursuing a Master's in Management Information Systems at the Malawi Institute of Management. His technical expertise spans data analysis, GIS (QGIS), remote sensing, Power BI, KoboToolbox, and multiple programming languages including Python and Java.

Wonderful has worked with various humanitarian organizations including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and UNHCR, where he contributed to data management, mapping, and emergency coordination efforts. His contributions in anticipatory action, especially using community led mapping and satellite data to identify flood prone areas, have helped shape effective and timely disaster responses in Malawi.

He is a certified Data Protection Officer in Humanitarian Action and has completed numerous professional courses in information management, disaster risk reduction, cybersecurity, and GIS. Beyond his core roles, he is also a drone operator trained in emergency UAV deployments and has a passion for teaching digital tools and systems.

Outside his humanitarian work, Wonderful is also the Quality Manager at Career Plus Training and Consultancy, where he leads training on ICT, design, and data tools. His blend of technical and humanitarian experience makes him a strong advocate for the use of open data and local knowledge in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience planning.


Session

11-28
11:20
20min
Anticipatory Action in Practice: Mapping Vulnerability and Triggering Early Cash Disbursement in Malawi
Wonderful Kunje

Traditional humanitarian responses often occur after disasters, resulting in loss of life and significant resource expenditure. Anticipatory Action (AA) presents a paradigm shift by enabling early interventions based on forecasts and risk analysis. In Malawi, the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) piloted an anticipatory approach ahead of a forecasted cyclone, demonstrating that timely action can save lives and reduce response costs by at least 15%.

A critical element of the AA process was the pre identification of at risk and vulnerable populations. Using OpenStreetMap (OSM) basemaps overlaid with historical flood extents from 2015 to present, maps were generated and printed for community validation. Recognizing the limitations of satellite data, particularly in capturing flash floods, Participatory GIS (PGIS) was employed. Communities mapped flood prone zones based on their lived experience from the past decade. These hand drawn maps were digitized, returned for verification, and finalized.

Due to limited resources, MRCS could only support 1,034 households. While Unified Beneficiary Registry (UBR) data was initially considered, gaps in coverage led to the adoption of the Joint Emergency Food Assistance Programme (JEFAP) approach. Communities identified the most vulnerable individuals through participatory methods. These individuals were registered using KoboToolbox, and a secondary door to door georeferenced verification exercise was conducted to refine the beneficiary list and confirm household locations in flood risk zones.

With the beneficiaries identified, MRCS worked with financial service providers to preposition cash resources. Once a formal trigger was issued by the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS), funds were disbursed in advance of the cyclone.

Post distribution monitoring revealed that recipients used the cash to relocate, strengthen shelters, and protect key belongings. Many credited the assistance with saving their lives and property, underscoring the value of early action driven by community led mapping and data-informed targeting.

Humanitarian
Audition Room - 1st Floor