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13 September 2023
Multistakeholder Dialogue Paves the Way for Malawi's SDG Rescue Plan
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12 August 2023
Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future: International Youth Day 2023
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10 July 2023
Coordination Saves Lives: UN Resident Coordinator's Office Leading the Way in Cyclone Freddy Response
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Malawi
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Malawi:
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13 September 2023
Multistakeholder Dialogue Paves the Way for Malawi's SDG Rescue Plan
On the eve of the global SDG Summit, the Government of Malawi convened stakeholders from civil society, the private sector, academia, the media, and development partners for an inclusive dialogue aimed at mobilising broad based support for its “SDG Rescue Plan.”
Malawi has confronted an array of challenges that imperil its progress towards the SDGs. Cyclones, pandemics, and conflicts have rolled back hard-won gains achieved in critical areas like poverty alleviation, food security, healthcare, education, water resource management and economic growth. The nation's path to achieving the SDGs by 2030 is at risk and demands urgent corrective action.
The 2022 Voluntary National Review report found that Malawi's progress towards the SDGs has reached a critical juncture, with only 18 percent on target, 41 percent making moderate progress and a concerning 41 percent falling behind.
Recognizing the urgency to put Malawi back on a path to inclusive, sustainable growth and development, the Government, with the support of UNDP, carried out an SDG Push Diagnostic which produced an integrated SDG Insights Report that helped to determine SDG interlinkages that revealed how actions directed towards one SDG can impact others.
As a result, the Integrated SDG Insights Report has helped Malawi to uncover how SDG interactions can help the country to achieve the 2030 Agenda while navigating trade-offs.
Facing high stakes and formidable challenges, Malawi has set ambitious targets to accelerate achievement of the SDGs in this decade of action. Malawi has identified 5 priority areas with high multiplier effects for investment and policy change that will help secure maximum progress across the SDGs. The areas that will be prioritised are women's empowerment, job creation, sustainable industrialization, resilient urban planning, institution building, and good governance.
Through strategic investment in these 5 areas, the Government hopes to reduce national poverty from 50.7% to 35.3% by 2027 and further to 26% by 2030. The Government also hopes to reduce inequality levels by increasing the growth rate of household expenditure or income per capita from 1.27% to 6.7 % by 2027 and 10% by 2030.
During the multistakeholder dialogue, Ms. Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, UN Resident Coordinator for Malawi, stressed the immense potential inherent in collaboration among stakeholders. "In unity," she declared, "we find strength. Together, we can overcome even the most formidable challenges and translate our commitment into tangible SDG progress."
For her part, Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nancy Tembo, echoed the call for unified action to drive SDG realization. She passionately proclaimed, "Let's make our seats at the table seats of progress and be the change we want to see. We are the architects of our destiny, and together, we shall build a more prosperous and equitable Malawi."
The dialogue provided a platform for all stakeholders to explore how they can contribute to SDG advancement. In terms of policy advocacy, Government officials were urged to utilize their positions to advocate for policies and legislation aligned with the SDGs.
Private sector leaders were encouraged to invest in sustainable and socially responsible business practices. Other stakeholders including CSO, Youth, Accademia and Communities were also encouraged to actively participate in SDG implementation.
This multistakeholder dialogue served as a prelude to the forthcoming SDG summit, scheduled for later this month. The summit is expected to provide an expanded platform for in-depth discussions and commitments aimed at advancing the SDG agenda in Malawi. Insights and priorities gleaned from this dialogue will play a central role in shaping the discussions and driving action during the summit.
As Malawi continues its journey towards SDG realization, these collaborative endeavours are poised to ensure inclusivity, leaving no one behind, and propelling the nation toward a more sustainable and equitable future. The introduction of the "SDG Rescue Plan" marks a resolute step in this direction, demonstrating Malawi's steadfast commitment to surmount challenges and secure a prosperous future for all its citizens.
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10 July 2023
Coordination Saves Lives: UN Resident Coordinator's Office Leading the Way in Cyclone Freddy Response
"We have lost everything. Our house was destroyed, and we have no food or water. We are desperate for help." - Mary Phiri, Resident of Phalombe District & Cyclone Freddy survivor.
In the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Freddy's devastating impact on Malawi, the strength of leadership and collaborative efforts has become paramount in rebuilding shattered lives. We highlight the stories of resilience and the indispensable role played by the coordination in mobilising UN Agencies and the international community to support the government to respond to this calamity.
The fury of Tropical Cyclone Freddy spared very few, leaving thousands of Malawians in the southern districts without hope for food security this year. The prevailing sentiment among many Malawians is poignantly captured by Mary Phiri, who, like so many others, witnessed all of their life possessions being washed away by the ravaging flood waters of the cyclone.
Amidst the widespread devastation, the agricultural sector suffered the most significant blow, with crops and livestock decimated by the heavy rains. The government estimates that over 50,000 hectares of farmland have been destroyed, posing a severe threat to food security in the affected areas.
But the impact goes beyond agriculture. The cyclone has also dealt a severe blow to infrastructure and the economy. Roads and bridges have been damaged, hindering transportation and access to markets. Businesses have been disrupted, affecting local economies and livelihoods. The rebuilding process will require concerted efforts and support to revive the economic activities that sustain communities.
Furthermore, the health sector has not been spared. Malawi was already grappling with a cholera outbreak, and the cyclone exacerbated the situation. Access to clean water and sanitation facilities became even more dire. Efforts to provide safe water supply, hygiene promotion, and disease prevention measures require to be intensified to prevent further health crises and protect vulnerable communities.
In response to this humanitarian crisis, the UN Country Team, under the leadership of Resident Coordinator, Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, rallied 60 UN agencies and non-governmental organizations to deliver life-saving assistance to affected communities. Their collective efforts have played a crucial role in providing immediate support and paving the way for long-term recovery.
"In the weeks since this tragedy struck, I have been absolutely inspired by the many people who have helped their neighbours and fellow Malawians impacted by Tropical Cyclone Freddy. In support of these incredible communities and the government-led response, we have provided life-saving assistance. However, much more remains to be done." - Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, UN Resident Coordinator in Malawi.
Recognizing the urgency, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERP) swiftly released US$5.5 million to support the humanitarian response in Malawi. These funds have been instrumental in providing emergency shelter, food, and medical assistance to the most vulnerable. However, the journey towards recovery is far from over.
Education has been severely disrupted, with hundreds of schools damaged or converted into temporary shelters. UN Malawi, in collaboration with local partners, is working tirelessly to ensure that nearly 1.3 million affected children receive the support they need to continue their education.
The UN Malawi has been a vital lifeline, utilizing helicopters to reach isolated communities that were completely cut off by the cyclone. Their Home-Grown School Feeding interventions, supported by the European Union, provide sustained access to nutritious meals for over 38,000 children in Chikwawa, Nsanje, Phalombe, and Zomba Districts.
Furthermore, UN agencies are working collaboratively to provide essential protection services. Through awareness programmes on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, child rights education, gender-based violence, and early child marriage, they have reached at least 24,200 individuals, including nearly 11,700 children.
UN Malawi showcased unwavering dedication in supporting those affected by Cyclone Freddy through the provision of crucial shelter and protection services. The primary focus was to ensure that individuals impacted by the disaster had access to secure and safe shelter, offering them a haven from the chaos and uncertainty. Concurrently, comprehensive protection measures were implemented to safeguard the rights and well-being of vulnerable individuals, including raising awareness about critical issues such as sexual exploitation and abuse, child rights, gender-based violence, and early child marriage. These interventions had a direct and transformative impact on the lives of thousands, providing immediate relief, a sense of security, and the essential support needed to rebuild and move forward.
Amidst these challenging circumstances, the UNRCO in close collaboration with OCHA, is at the forefront of coordination efforts, ensuring that assistance reaches those most in need. The office has facilitated the collaboration of various UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and development partners, emphasizing the value of coordination, including in emergency situations.
The Malawian government, in conjunction with humanitarian partners, has conducted a comprehensive Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA). This assessment provides valuable insights into the extent of the damage caused by Cyclone Freddy and serves as a blueprint for long-term recovery. It underscores the importance of building back better and creating more resilient communities that can withstand future disasters.
The path to recovery and rehabilitation will undoubtedly be a long one, but the resilience and determination of the Malawian people are unwavering. However, together we can rebuild shattered communities, overcome this disaster, and forge a path toward a more resilient future.
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12 August 2023
Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future: International Youth Day 2023
Statement by Ms. Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Malawi
Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future: International Youth Day 2023
Today, on International Youth Day, we come together under the theme "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World." This theme underscores the pivotal role that young people play in shaping a future that is not only prosperous but also environmentally conscious and sustainable.
Half of the global population is under the age of 30, and this percentage is projected to rise to 57% by the end of the decade. In Malawi, where 80 percent of the population is below the age of 35, the youth cohort constitutes a significant force for positive change.
The world is grappling with intricate challenges, from climate change to economic uncertainties, and the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is within this context that the voices and actions of young people become even more crucial. The enthusiasm, innovative thinking, and dedication of our youth offer a beacon of hope for a better future.
The principle of "Leaving No One Behind" is not just a slogan but a driving force. Engaging our youth and ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes is vital to achieving this aim. Their unique perspectives and fresh ideas have the potential to drive transformative solutions to some of our most pressing issues.
In Malawi, we have witnessed commendable strides in the engagement of youth towards sustainability. Initiatives like the UNDP-supported Green Corps have not only provided opportunities for young people to actively participate in environmental conservation, but have also showcased the determination and capabilities of Malawi's youth to lead in building a greener future. Furthermore, national policies such as the National Youth Policy and Malawi Vision 2063, centred on the youth, signal progress being made, notwithstanding the recognition that more efforts are needed to fully harness their potential.
As we stand at the mid-point of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. The promise of a sustainable future for all is at risk due to various factors, including climate-related disasters like Cyclone Freddy, conflicts, and ongoing health challenges. Yet, in the face of adversity, young people continue to display remarkable resilience and determination.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres aptly stated, "Today, the world is embarking on a green transition." This transition towards environmental sustainability and climate resilience is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Developing green skills among our youth is a fundamental step in this direction.
Green skills encompass technical knowledge and abilities that enable the use of environmentally friendly technologies and processes. They also include broader skills that promote environmentally conscious decision-making in various aspects of life. As our youth possess the potential to be champions of sustainability, equipping them with these skills is paramount.
In conclusion, on this International Youth Day, I call upon all stakeholders – government, civil society, private sector, and communities – to recognize and nurture the potential of our youth. Let us work together to provide them with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.
As we celebrate the energy and determination of young people, let us also commit to supporting their journey towards acquiring green skills and becoming leaders of change. Through their actions, we can lay the foundation for a brighter and greener future for Malawi and beyond.
Thank you.
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29 June 2023
Afikepo Takes Bold Action in the Battle against Cholera
Over the past year, Malawi has experienced its worst cholera outbreak in two decades. Currently, 59,000 people have contracted the disease, and 1,761 died.
As infection and fatality cases continue to decline, there are still challenges regarding community behaviour change.
Health surveillance assistant, Dynes Josiah, says behaviour change in Sani village Thyolo started to become a reality when five cholera cases were detected in the area in January and February this year.
"Initially, when we did door-to-door household visits on good hygiene practices to prevent cholera, people never took us seriously. It took time for the message to sink in, and when the area registered cases, people started to listen," she explains.
Since then, the last reported cholera case in Sani village was on February 17. Josiah attributes this to the collaborative work she has undertaken with the village's leadership, promoters, cluster leaders, and care groups to help arrest the spread of the disease by enforcing hygiene standards.
One of the people Josiah has been working closely with is Olive Mpomba, the promoter for the Afikepo Nutrition Programme for Sani village.
Mpomba explains that the Community Behaviour Tracking Tool (CBTT) has played a significant role in tracking the village's best hygienic practices.
The CBTT is a monitoring and evaluation tool deployed under the Afikepo Nutrition Programme, which contains indicators to track the progress communities are making in terms of behavioural change towards nutritional uptake among pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and nutritional assessment of children under the age of five using middle upper circumference tapes as well as handwashing practices.
The Afikepo nutrition programme is funded by the European Union (EU) in partnership with UNICEF Malawi and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to address the problem of undernutrition, particularly in children under five.
The WASH component in the CBTT provides guidelines for washing hands on five occasions: before preparing food, after changing a nappy, after visiting the toilet, before eating, and before breastfeeding a baby.
"The handwashing component helps in cholera prevention. Under-five children are dependent on their parents, so we encourage parents to wash their hands. Children usually copy the behaviour of their parents. If parents don't wash their hands, their children will follow suit. If people wash their hands, we can prevent cholera," says Iness Chitedze, one of the contributors to the CBTT. Mpomba also explains that the CBTT has become all the more critical with the outbreak of the cholera epidemic.
"We go around the village advising women and caregivers about the importance of hygiene, especially the need to have toilets and tippy-taps outside these facilities," Mpomba says.
As one way of fostering community dialogue and continuous feedback, the village holds regular dialogue sessions. While sparks don't fly when they have these engagement meetings, resolutions agreed upon during such gatherings are binding, and anyone who falls foul of them receives the wrath of the village chief, Witness Chimombo.
Chimombo appreciates the work that health workers, promoters, and care groups are doing, and he set by-laws to complement their work.
"We made a by-law that any household that doesn't have a toilet would be fined a chicken. If they ignore the fine, their case will be escalated to the T/A. But most toilets collapsed due to Cyclone Freddy, so we cannot enforce that law now. We have given people a grace period for reconstruction," he says.
Mercy Chikaonda is ahead of the curve and has taken extraordinary precautions to ensure her household remains untouched by cholera. She has a well-tended toilet and tippy-taps outside, forbidding her household members from washing plates in the river.
"We receive chlorine every two weeks, which I apply to water. If I don't have chlorine, I draw drinking water in a bucket with a lid. When I bring it home, I boil it," Chikaonda.
Josiah is encouraged by the village's progress, but she vows never to relent until cholera is decisively dealt with.
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18 April 2023
Cyclone Freddy: When a community stood up for its people
“The houses were being ripped apart, and after a few minutes I started seeing people running. Fear was on their faces,” says Keziah Makunganya, a resident of Blantyre City in southern Malawi, recalling when Cyclone Freddy tore through the city on 13 March.
Keziah is just one of several community members who stepped up to volunteer their services to support the many people displaced that day.
The floods and mudslides that followed the cyclone wreaked havoc on communities in southern Malawi, destroying lives and properties. Nearly 883,000 houses were affected, forcing about 659,300 people to leave their homes and shelter in 747 displacement sites including schools, churches, community facilities and other camps, according to authorities.
The Government and humanitarian organizations are providing people with life-saving assistance, but others, like Keziah, have come forward to help people in displacement sites.
When Keziah saw people running on 13 March, she followed them, which is how she found herself at Manja Primary School, which is a displacement site. She saw women carrying babies who were soaking wet and freezing. Keziah went home and packed all of her family’s bedding to help keep them warm.
She says: “I don’t know how to balance between my fashion design business and my time at the Manja displacement site, but I take each day as it comes. I am here to help, and I will help as much as I can. When the displaced are settled, that is when I will be peaceful.”
Helping to coordinate
Tamara Nyahoda, a community worker, coordinates volunteers at the Manja Primary School displacement site. She explains: “I live a few metres away from this site. Some of these people are the ones who I buy vegetables from; they are literally my neighbours.”
The night the floods tore through parts of Blantyre, Tamara brought her gas stove to the school and cooked porridge and tea for at least 100 people to keep them warm. Two weeks later, the stove is still being used at the site.
As coordinator, Tamara oversees other volunteers’ activities at the displacement site.
According to Tamara, there were many volunteers on the first night, but now there are about 10. They have organized themselves according to their specialties, including security and kitchen duties, and a doctor who works at night.
They were strangers before the cyclone, but their desire to help the affected people brought each of them to the school, where they now work together leveraging each other’s strengths.
A few days after the cyclone, the volunteers met to discuss how better to support people at the displacement sites, including how to manage and ensure accountability for the donations being sent to the site, but while calling for more donations from well-wishers.
Keziah is now a volunteer storekeeper at the Manja site. Displaced people now sleep in the school’s classrooms, which are used to help distribute donations. Keziah explains:
“The displaced people communicate their needs to each classroom’s chairlady or chairman, who in turn delivers the message to the store where donations are kept. We could not have everybody requesting assistance at the same time, as this would create confusion.
“When we do not have a commodity that is needed, we always check with the Red Cross, and vice versa. This has created a seamless operation and togetherness between us.”
The joy of lending a hand
Tamanda Mzima, a doctor with the Government of Malawi, was on leave when the cyclone tore through southern Malawi. She now volunteers her time at the Manja displacement site, especially at night when doctors from the private hospital have left for the day.
She explains: “I live 10 metres away from the mountains. I was in my house when I started hearing strange sounds, which prompted me to go outside. I saw ambulances on the road outside my house collecting people from where the cyclone had struck. People were all over the street with no sense of direction. I was afraid! My family and I ran to my friend’s house, where we stayed for the night.”
The horrific scenes of that night stayed with Dr. Tamanda. On the first night, she volunteered at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital. But when she later learned that volunteer doctors were needed in various displacement sites, she offered to help at the Manja site, as it’s close to her home.
Dr. Tamanda now covers the night shift, often attending to cases of upper respiratory infections, malaria and diarrhoea. She also provides health information, distributes chlorine to mitigate the spread of communicable diseases, and links people who are sick with ambulance services that take them to the district referral hospital.
“There is no greater joy than lending a hand to someone in need,” she says.
In the days and weeks ahead, as people return home, and Tamara, Keziah and Dr. Tamanda resume their daily routines, the legacy of their and other Malawians’ incredible solidarity will live on in the hearts of those whose lives they touched.
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14 April 2023
Cyclone Freddy: Timely relief brings smiles to hospital patients in Malawi
We watch anxiously as the white WFP humanitarian truck in front of us ploughs through a waterlogged dirt road. The truck is enroute to reach vulnerable and displaced communities in desperate need of relief supplies. The truck crosses a perilously looking makeshift wooden bridge and slippery terrain.
Finally, we arrive at Katuma camp situated 31 km away from Mulanje Town which is close to the Mozambique border. Mulanje district lies 67 km west of Blantyre, Malawi’s commercial capital.
In Mulanje district alone, 67,233 women and girls are seeking shelter in camps after their homes were wrecked. At Katuma camp 456 women, men and children need relief items.. The camp comprises of a one room brick structure where 340 women and children are staying, while 116 men are cramped in a small, thatched structure.
As the truck contents begin to be offloaded, the line of people to receive items slowly begins to grow. The camp protection committee works swiftly with the district and UN Women staff to organize the camp community. There is a general sense of relief in the area as pregnant women start receiving emergency supplies.
Seven-months pregnant Rebeca Kabisala narrates her ordeal, “It rained non-stop for days, when one of the walls in my house collapsed, I ran out quickly-I lost everything. This blanket I have received will keep me warm in the overcrowded camp”.
As the hours pass by, rows of lactating mothers, adolescent girls, women, persons with disabilities, the elderly as well as boys of all ages and men approach the truck to receive items.
Edna Mishioni, 35, smiles as she opens a bucket she has just received. “Managing menstrual hygiene has made me so anxious since we came here. Now, I don’t have to be ashamed and stressed because I have sanitary pads” she says.
Venika Mangwaya is led to the truck by her young grandson. “Seeing all this maize flour is a miracle, the children in the camp can eat more than one meal a day”.
A few kilometres away from Katuma camp, a church building has been turned into a camp. Forty-two-year-old Annie Makukenya excitedly switches on a solar lamp she has been given. “The building we are sleeping in is always dark, this lamp will make us feel safer and the children can read at night”.
Maria John, a local volunteer who works in ten camps in the area says humanitarian response must include and deliberately target women. “When disasters like these floods strike, organizations must respond to the unique needs of women and girls, we applaud UN Women for doing this” she says.
As the sun begins to set, the truck drives away having distributed to almost 500 households in four camps in traditional authority Mkanda in Mulanje.
Early March 2023, Malawi was hit by Tropical Cyclone Freddy that induced floods and mud slides in 15 districts in Southern region. As of 27th March 2023, approximately 2,267,458 people (1,110,639 males, 1,156,819 females and 234,729 people living with disability) have been affected. This is 11% of Malawi population estimated at 20,428,275. The number of displaced people is at 659,278 with 747 camps commissioned to accommodate the displaced. It is estimated that 65% of the displaced people are women. The death toll is at 679. The number of injured persons is at 2178. The number of reported missing persons is at 537. The torrential rains, mud slides and floods caused a lot of damage to infrastructure including houses, roads, household property, schools, health facilities and displaced many households.
UN Women has donated relief items, including hygiene kits, blankets, wrappers, solar lamps and food worth US$30,000 to those affected by Cyclone Freddy.
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06 April 2023
An Outbreak in the Midst of an Emergency
Malawi's worst cholera outbreak has left Penjani Chunda with little time to rest since its onset in March 2022.
Every day, the district environmental health officer in Blantyre receives reports, calls and visitors to refine strategies to make the fast-spreading disease history.
During the meeting, he was dispatching teams, medicine and essential supplies to cholera hotspots.
However, his job got harder when Cyclone Freddy struck southern Malawi, triggering severe landslides and flash floods that displaced thousands, with more than 100 people confirmed dead and about 30 missing in Blantyre.
Animated by early warnings from the weather department, ambulance teams swiftly evacuated all cholera patients from health centres to an isolation zone at Queen Elizabeth Centre Hospital (QECH) to reduce the potential deaths, injuries and damages.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the health workers focus switched from the raging outbreak that has claimed 1, 724 lives from about 56,876 confirmed cases in a year, to the influx of wounded patients and bodies from areas devastated by the cyclone.
"It was hectic and we had no time to adjust. We had to deal with two emergencies that are not only related but also devastating on the community where we work," says Chunda.
The country's deadliest natural disaster exerted immense pressure on the healthcare system already grappling with a high disease burden, including the polio resurgence, the Covid-19 pandemic and the raging cholera emergency that followed Tropical Storm Ana, which affected nearly a million people nationwide.
"It wasn't easy to deal with the double blow, but teamwork always wins," says Chunda, who coordinates disease surveillance, prevention and control in all 37 health centres in Blantyre, which has been hit the hardest by both cholera and the world's longest-running cyclone, Freddy.
He marshalled the emergency transfer of cholera patients to the facility that housed Covid-19 patients during the coronavirus disease's second wave in 2020.
Maria Malele a community nurse prepares to assess malnutrition on one-year-old Obadia Andrea
Chunda explains: "The cyclone affected the cholera response, including treatment units that were pulled down once the patients had been evacuated to QECH, where we already had a camp fit for the purpose. Despite the horrifying disaster, no camp fell on a patient," he explains.
The cyclone has stirred a surge in cholera cases in Blantyre just when the national disease burden is falling.
Daily updates by the Ministry of Health show Blantyre’s count has surged to 45 from 20 to 30 before the storm.
"The numbers are rising sharply due to a breakdown in access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene at a time we expected the double-digit counts to fall below 10," he says.
Due to the disruptive disaster, Chunda preventive health teams suspended a nationwide campaign to vaccinate people against cholera and Covid-19 in communities where they live and work.
"To us, the surge is a cause of worry. We expect a worse outbreak since the cyclone destroyed water and sanitation facilities in its way. This is a double blow because it is happening amid a cholera outbreak sparked by last year's cyclones. With the current cyclone, our neighbours in Mozambique, who were also hit hard, have also been affected by cholera," he explains.
The affected population requires soap for hand-washing, buckets for water storage, chlorine for water treatment and public awareness, especially on preventive measures.
"We need urgent support to protect the devastated communities and remind them of the importance of insisting on safe water, sanitation and hygiene," he says.
The Ministry of Health has deployed community health workers to all emergency evacuation camps to conduct health talks and chlorination in a desperate effort to avert the potential cholera eruption among more than 350 000 people displaced by the cyclone.
Camps in Blantyre have six confirmed cholera patients within two weeks. These include three recorded at Mpingwe camp, two at Manja and one at Mbayani.
"The good news is that the spread has been kept under control, but this confirms our fears that poor sanitation and hygiene could turn the overcrowded camps into super spreaders of cholera," Chunda warns.
Equally worried is community nurse Maria Malele, one of the health workers who worked day and night to save the lives of cholera patients amid the humanitarian crisis caused by Cyclone Freddy. Her work in the 43-bed cholera treatment site at QECH just got harder with the new arrivals from the city's hotspots, including devastated zones and congested camps.
"Our workload in the cholera treatment centre increased dramatically with the cyclone. Few hands had to care for an increasing number of patients as many health workers turned to assisting casualties from disaster zones.
"For the past two weeks, we have been knocking off late when there are many patients. Ours is a calling, so we cannot live with patients because it is time to clock out," she explains.
Malele's daily workload can only get bigger unless the resurgent cholera wave is kept in check.
"Since the devastating cyclone, cholera patients are increasing because thousands of survivors are living in crowded camps with limited access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation. With dry taps in many areas, most households depend on unprotected sources contaminated by waste from shattered latrines and settlements," she explains.
Mariam Andrea was taken ill by cholera. After spending five days at the main cholera treatment camp amid the battering cyclone, she returned to the facility when her two sets of twins contracted the fast-spreading, sanitation-related bacterial disease.
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30 March 2023
Cyclone Freddy aftermath brings diseases, healthcare gaps
The devastation caused by the cyclone in Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique has increased the spread of cholera and malaria, as well as malnutrition.
Meanwhile, more than 300 health facilities have been destroyed or flooded in the three countries, limiting health care access.
The cyclone’s destruction increased public health risks including a surge in the spread of cholera, malaria, malnutrition, COVID-19, and other vaccine-treatable diseases.
WHO said that Malawi was still in the midst of its “worst-ever” cholera outbreak, although cases are declining. In Mozambique, cholera cases have more than doubled over the past week, to almost 2,400.
“With a double landfall in less than a month, the impact of Cyclone Freddy is immense and deepfelt”, said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.
“While we work to understand the full extent of the devastation, our priority is to ensure that affected communities and families receive health assistance for immediate needs as well as to limit the risks of water-borne diseases and other infections spreading,”
Helping communities prepare for climatic hazards
Overall, flooding, and torrential rains have affected more than 1.4 million people in the three countries. WHO and partners are providing support in the form of cholera treatment centers, medical supplies, and health worker training.
WHO has provided U$7.9 million and sent over 60 experts to the affected countries to assist with the emergency response.
Around 184 tons of important medical supplies have been shipped to support the cyclone and cholera emergency response. In Malawi, WHO has redistributed cholera response operation centres to hotspot districts, to help disease control efforts.
“With the rise in climate-related health emergencies in Africa, it’s clear that more needs to be done to bolster preparedness to climatic hazards so that communities can better cope with the impacts of the devastating natural disasters,” said Dr Moeti.
The cholera outbreaks are currently affecting 14 African countries and are being made worse by extreme climate events and conflicts that leave countries more vulnerable. Many people have been forced to flee their homes, to face uncertain living conditions.
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Press Release
01 May 2023
UNITED NATIONS IN MALAWI ADVOCATES FOR DECENT WORK FOR ALL AND SUSTAINABLE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AMIDST NATURAL DISASTERS ON WORLD LABOUR DAY
On Labour Day, we applaud the contributions of workers to our society and economy. We also recognize all those whose efforts have advanced the rights of workers in Malawi and around the world.
I am honoured to bring you a message of solidarity and goodwill from the entire UN system in Malawi. This year's theme, “Natural Disasters a Threat to Livelihoods and Decent Work: Creating Decent Jobs and Extending Social Protection is key to Sustainable Recovery,” resonates strongly with all of us.
As we celebrate worker’s contributions, including those in the informal economy, we acknowledge the criticality of labour to achieving social and economic development. The African Union's Agenda 2063 and the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognize the importance of decent work in achieving sustainable development.
While we acknowledge the efforts of the Government of Malawi to create jobs and generate wealth, it is important to ensure the decency of the jobs created. Decent work can be summed up as "Promoting Jobs, Protecting People." We should create opportunities for everyone to get work that is productive and delivers a fair income, rights at work, social protection for families, better prospects for personal development and social integration. We should also ensure equal opportunities for women, men, young people and persons with disabilities in the workplace.
Without a doubt, climate-related shocks have set back Malawi’s growth trajectory. We are still tallying the impact of Cyclone Freddy, that devastated the southern region, including on jobs and social protection. The cyclone traumatized the nation, caused loss of life and livelihood, displacement, damage to infrastructure and property, disruptions to supply chains and markets, and overall has increased vulnerability to poverty and food insecurity. This has left a huge gap in terms of employment and small-scale businesses that will need to be rebuilt.
In the face of this, however, there are glimmers of hope. The strong leadership of the Government of Malawi in coordinating the relief and response must be commended. Ordinary Malawians have rallied to render support to their brothers and sisters. Countries in the region have come to the assistance of their neighbour. Development partners, NGOs and the international community are re-programming development support for Malawi. The UN pledges its support to implementation of the national response plan and the eventual recovery plan, to prioritize medium and long-term recovery interventions.
The commemoration of Labour Day calls us to reflect on the country’s development challenges and collectively plan how we can co-create home-grown solutions to recover better and build sustainable livelihoods for all.
On this day, I challenge all of our partners – in the Government, private sector, civil society, academia, the development community – to reaffirm their commitment to support national efforts to end child labour, reduce youth unemployment, enhance social protection for the most vulnerable and promote the creation of decent work for all to accelerate development and rescue the Sustainable Development Goals in Malawi.
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Press Release
14 April 2023
ONE MONTH AFTER THE PASSAGE OF CYCLONE FREDDY, THE WORLD NEEDS TO STEP-UP SUPPORT TO COMMUNITIES RAVAGED BY THE DISASTER IN MALAWI
(Lilongwe, 14 April 2023): One month after the passage of Tropical Cyclone Freddy—which swept through 15 districts in southern Malawi, destroying lives, livelihoods and homes—communities ravaged by the storm still require urgent assistance and support as they strive to survive the aftermath of the devastating floods and mudslides.
“In the weeks since this tragedy struck, I have been absolutely inspired by the many people who have helped their neighbours and fellow Malawians impacted by Tropical Cyclone Freddy,” said the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Rebecca Adda-Dontoh. “In support of these incredible communities and the Government-led response, 60 UN agencies and non-governmental organizations have provided life-saving assistance to people affected by the disaster. However, much more remains to be done.”
Since 12 March, close to 230,000 people have been reached with vital assistance and support, including food for the most vulnerable people, safe water and sanitation facilities and hygiene services, access to health care, including sexual and reproductive health, and emergency shelter, such as tents and tarpaulin. This has included the airlifting of relief, especially food, to areas that remain cut off or difficult to reach by road. However, with humanitarian partners’ Flash Appeal for Malawi less than 11 per cent funded, there are critical gaps in the response and additional contributions are urgently required for humanitarian partners to scale-up assistance, in support of the Government-led response. Humanitarian partners in Malawi are committed to a response that places people at the centre and have zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.
“Despite our best efforts, tens of thousands of people are still without adequate shelter. We also need to step-up the provision of clean water, sanitation and hygiene, especially in light of the cholera outbreak. And we need to ensure that women and children, in particular, are protected from violence, exploitation and abuse, given the many risks generated by this crisis,” said Ms. Adda-Dontoh. “Our response in the first 30 days was made possible by the support of the international community, who have so far generously contributed US$7.6 million. I am today calling on donors to redouble their support to fill the critical shortfalls in funding so that we can do even more in the month ahead.”
Malawi is one of the countries that have been hardest-hit by the increased rainfall accompanying tropical cyclones in Southern Africa as a result of human-induced climate change, according to a recent research. Yet, the country contributes just 0.04 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Tropical Cyclone Freddy—which killed over 1,000 people—is a devastating reminder of the human cost of the global climate crisis.
For more information, please contact:
Malawi Resident Coordinator’s Office, Bennet Phunyanya, bennet.phunyanya@one.un.org, +265 884 307 026
OCHA Regional Office for Southern and Eastern Africa, Jane Kiiru, jane.kiiru@un.org, +265 988 381128
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Press Release
01 April 2023
The United Nations and Humanitarian Partners Call for US$70.6 Million to Provide Life-Saving Assistance to People in Malawi affected by the passage of Cyclone Freddy
The United Nations and Humanitarian Partners Call for US$70.6 Million to Provide Life-Saving Assistance to People in Malawi affected by the passage of Cyclone Freddy
(Lilongwe, 01 April 2023): The United Nations and humanitarian partners in Malawi are calling for US$70.6 million to assist 1.1 million people affected by the passage of the Tropical Cyclone Freddy weather system in the Southern Region in March 2023, in support of the Government-led response.
“Freddy’s passage has caused death, destruction, displacement and devastation on a horrifying scale at a time when Malawians were already facing high levels of food insecurity and a cholera outbreak,” said the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Malawi, Rebecca Adda-Dontoh. “Humanitarian partners continue to support the Government’s relief efforts following Cyclone Freddy, but the needs are truly enormous, with some Traditional Authorities in Nsanje and Phalombe Districts still unreachable by road,” Ms. Adda-Dontoh added.
The revised Malawi Flash Appeal outlines the contribution of humanitarian partners to the Government-led responses to floods and cholera in Malawi. The Flash Appeal aims to provide an integrated response—including shelter, nutrition, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and protection—for those hardest-hit by the crisis, while ensuring communities are at the centre of the response.
“I visited displaced people in Blantyre and was inspired by their incredible resilience and determination to move forward, despite the tragedy they have endured,” the UN Resident Coordinator said. “Malawians have themselves mobilized to support one another in this time of tremendous need and we must step-up our solidarity as the international community.”
The passage of Cyclone Freddy left a trail of devastation across 15 districts in southern Malawi. At least 676 people have died, and this figure is expected to rise in the days ahead, while 659,278 people were displaced in 747 camps, according to the Government.
The Flash Appeal requirements for the Freddy response come on top of the $45.3 million called for earlier this year by humanitarian partners for the cholera response, bringing the total revised Flash Appeal to $115.9 million. Malawi continues to face its deadliest cholera outbreak in recent history and health concerns are rising following the passage of Cyclone Freddy.
The UN and its partners in Malawi urgently call on donors to fund the revised Flash Appeal and enable them to work swiftly in support of the Government-led response to assist communities affected by the passage of Cyclone Freddy and the cholera outbreak.
For more information, please contact:
Malawi Resident Coordinator’s Office, Bennet Phunyanya, bennet.phunyanya@one.un.org, +265 884 307 026
OCHA Regional Office for Southern and Eastern Africa, Jane Kiiru, jane.kiiru@un.org, +265 988 3811
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Press Release
19 March 2023
MALAWI: UN RELEASES US$5.5 MILLION TO ASSIST COMMUNITIES RAVAGED BY FLOODS
(Lilongwe, 19 March 2023): The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Martin Griffiths, has released US$5.5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to assist people affected by the Tropical Cyclone Freddy weather system in Malawi, as the devastating toll of floods and mudslides in the country’s Southern Region continues to rise.
Speaking after visiting flood-affected areas on 16 March, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Malawi, Ms. Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, said: “The destruction and suffering that I witnessed in southern Malawi is the human face of the global climate crisis. The people I met with—many of whom have lost their homes and loved ones—have done nothing to cause this crisis. We, as the United Nations, stand in full solidarity with the people of Malawi at this tragic time and we call on the international community to do the same.”
Nearly 363,000 people are displaced and sheltering in over 500 camps across flood-affected areas of Malawi, and the death toll has risen to 447, with at least 282 people still missing, according to authorities on 18 March. Some 75,000 hectares of cropland has been flooded, just as farmers were about to harvest the only crop of the year. These figures are expected to rise in the days ahead as further information becomes available, especially in areas where people remain trapped by the flood waters and full information is not yet available.
The Government of Malawi is leading the response, with support from humanitarian partners. More than 1,500 people have been rescued from isolated locations and, as flood waters begin to subside, assistance is being dispatched to the hardest-hit districts.
“People are traumatized, and many have lost their homes, their belongings and their livelihoods,” said Ms. Adda-Dontoh. “In support of the Government-led response, through this CERF grant, we will aim to assist those who have been hardest-hit with life-saving and life-sustaining assistance, including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), shelter and vital non-food items, food, healthcare and prevention of gender-based violence and child protection risks.“
Southern Malawi was affected after Tropical Cyclone Freddy made its second landfall in Mozambique on 11 March and moved over land as a tropical depression, bringing torrential rainfall, devastating floods and mudslides to Malawi from 12 March. Malawi is also still facing its deadliest cholera outbreak in recent history, and there is a high risk that the disease could spread in flood-affected areas
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Press Release
14 March 2023
UN MALAWI CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION TO SUPPORT PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE TROPICAL CYCLONE FREDDY
(Lilongwe, 14 March 2023) In the wake of the declaration of a State of Disaster in the Southern Region by the President of the Republic of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, the United Nations in Malawi is calling for urgent coordinated support for the people impacted by the destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
Tropical Cyclone Freddy has created an unprecedented crisis in Malawi.
The United Nations commends the Government of Malawi for its leadership of preparedness and response measures and calls upon partners to step up efforts to assist people in the districts most affected by the cyclone.
The UN has been rapidly mobilising support to address immediate needs pending a multi-sectoral assessment. Technical and financial support provided by the United Nations to establish an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been critical in strengthening humanitarian coordination among Government, NGO and development partners. Furthermore, several UN Agencies have deployed personnel to the affected areas to support coordination of response and assessment efforts in information management and logistics.
UN is providing critical logistical support, including transportation for search and rescue operations as well as to ferry humanitarian workers, equipment and supplies to communities that have been cut off by flooding and landslides, as well as medical supplies and equipment to improve water and sanitation infrastructure to address immediate health needs, including preventing the spread of Cholera.
Protection of the most vulnerable populations and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse remain central to the work of the UN, including in humanitarian response. To this end, UN Agencies are providing food and non-food items such as shelter materials, tents and dignity kits to displaced people.
The UN stands with the people of Malawi and encourages national authorities, civil society, the private sector, political parties, the media, traditional leaders and religious leaders to ensure that at all times the rights and dignity of affected populations are respected.
The longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record, according to the World Meteorological Organisation, Freddy has left a trail of destruction and continues to cause extensive damage and loss of lives from torrential rains and strong winds in ten Districts, namely Nsanje, Chikwawa, Mulanje, Thyolo, Phalombe, Chiradzulu, Mwanza, Blantyre, Zomba and Neno.
Over the past three days, Cyclone Freddy has claimed the lives of more than 190 people and injured dozens more overstretching the health sector that is already overwhelmed by the worst Cholera outbreak in two decades. The full extent of the impact of the cyclone will be known when a multi-sectoral assessment is conducted.
The United Nations extends sincere condolences to the people of Malawi who have lost loved ones and property.
Ms. Rebecca Adda-Dontoh
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Malawi
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Currently, 24 agencies and specialized organizations of the United Nations are active in Malawi. Through its work, the UN is contributing to ensuring a better life for the people of Malawi.
For more information, contact: Associate Communications Officer in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, Bennet Phunyanya on bennet.phunyanya@one.un.org or +265884307026
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