http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/09/26/world/africa/malawi-un-warns-of-a-food-crisis.html

Some agroforestry professionals say deforestation is partly to blame for the floods. And that more needs to be done to counter it, including enforcement of the law against offenders. Further, there needs to be a crackdown on police officers who receive bribes from offenders. Finally,  the greenbelt movement must be provided with more resources for reforestation.
While there is urgent need for short term action (food), a long term strategy will need to address the preventable causes of the floods.