Why we work in Malawi
Almost half of Malawi’s population lives below the poverty line. Life expectancy, educational outcomes, disease prevention, and nutrition all suffer as a result. Food security remains widespread, especially in rural areas, and the country is vulnerable to natural disasters such as droughts, floods, cyclones and earthquakes. Our work in Malawi seeks to alleviate some of these conditions and supports communities to work towards a brighter future.
Partnership
Working with local communities in Malawi since 2001
Programs
We support two programs through five local partners in Malawi
Priorities
Food security, sustainable agriculture, HIV and AIDS awareness, disaster risk reduction
Program snapshot
Malawi & Tanzania Integrated Community Development Program
Running since: 2016
Partner Agencies: CADECOM Malawi and four Dioceses in Malawi and Diocese of Mbulu.
Aims: To increase food security and improve access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene services.
Who it is for: Marginalised communities in Malawi and Tanzania
Achievements:
- So far, the program has increased access to clean water for over 5,000 people
- Nearly 7,000 people now have hand-washing facilities, soap and other cleaning products in their homes
- In Mzuzu city, diarrhoea cases have decreased from 27 per month to zero
- Access to basic services helps foster an increased sense of dignity and improves people’s capacity to change their own lives
- Distributed masks, hygiene kits, shared preventive health messages and conducted training sessions during COVID-19 pandemic
Fact: This program is expected to impact over 96,000 people within five years
Along with your generous support, this program is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
More background
With the majority of people living in rural areas, subsistence farming is common in Malawi. However, natural disasters are frequent, resulting in food shortages, malnutrition and disease.
Natural disasters: Malawi is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, given its location, rapid population growth, environmental degradation and climate variability. Floods, droughts and storms impact people’s lives, livelihoods, and socio-economic infrastructure, pushing large numbers of people into poverty.
Food insecurity: remains widespread, worsened by frequent droughts, especially among the rural poor. Nearly two million people are affected by drought each year. A lack of access to food and clean water leads to chronic malnutrition and increased risk of disease.
Water and sanitation: 2.2 million people out of Malawi’s population of 17 million, do not have access to clean water – while over half of Malawi’s healthcare facilities do not have sufficient Water Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) provisions for staff and patients (sources...UNOCHA, Water Aid).
You can help
With your generous support, we work with our local partners in Malawi to improve HIV and AIDS awareness, disaster risk reduction and, food security and sustainable agriculture, to increase access to clean water and hygiene services.
You can provide critical lifesaving aid and assistance to the communities in Malawi devastated by earthquakes, cyclones, flooding or conflicts. Your donation means that our partners on the ground can respond quickly and efficiently when disasters strike.