United Nations 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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26 February 2021

African LDCs can achieve SDGs

The Africa Regional Review Meeting which Malawi hosted this week (22 to 26 February) has generated concrete ideas on how to accelerate sustainable development in least developed countries (LDCs). Speaking during the closing session of the meeting, which was held in preparation for the Fifth UN Conference on Least Developed Countries in Qatar next year, Malawi Vice President, Saulos Chilima, called on LDCs to improve on action to achieve agreed goals on sustainable development. “LDCs have to embrace structural transformation which entails the transitioning from agriculture to manufacturing; increasing innovations to utilise our abundant resources; and focusing on value creation,” said Chilima. He also said the international community should accelerate financial inclusion and access to resources to build resilience against shocks in LDCs. On the impact of COVID-19 in LDCs, Chilima said: “We are hopeful that we will be finding innovative ways to build back better, cleaner and stronger.” UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, said LDCs have the power to solve their challenges. “Building back better will be a challenge, but there is hope when people in countries work together,” said ‘Utoikamanu. “The pandemic also presents an opportunity to do things differently and accelerate true transformation, for example, transforming the digital divide into a digital bridge.” Speaking earlier during the closing session, Malawi Minister of Youth and Sports, Ulemu Msungama, briefed delegates on the Side Event on Youth and SDG Acceleration, which Malawi Government and the UN in Malawi co-hosted at the meeting on Tuesday (23 February). Msungama said the side event demonstrated that LDCs will not achieve sustainable development if the majority of their populations, including the youth, are not included in development processes. “Governments should meaningfully engage young people and provide a conducive environment for youth to participate at all levels of decision-making,” he said. “Governments should put in place deliberate systems and platforms that can strengthen and retain engagement, social contact, dialogue and trust with young people.” During the side event, UN Resident Coordinator, Maria Jose Torres, said youth action and voice are critical to acceleration of the SDG agenda in LDCs. “The only way to achieve the change that we need is through ensuring that youth are at the forefront of development initiatives in LDCs,” said Torres. “The UN is determined to tap into the creativity and potential of young people to advance sustainable development.” Over 900 delegates registered for the Africa Regional Review Meeting which had eight dialogue sessions on topics such as building peaceful, just and inclusive societies; mobilizing resources for sustainable development in African LDCs; and social and human development in African LDCs. The report of the Africa Regional Review Meeting will be submitted to the 5th UN Conference on Least Developed Countries in Doha, Qatar, in January 2022 to feed into the development of a new Programme of Action to accelerate sustainable development in LDCs.

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26 February 2021

The world is in crisis: Transforming LDCs is imperative

COVID-19. Climate change. Economic collapse. These crises are overlapping, existential and concurrent. And they herald great change, some of which is already upon us. COVID-19 has been the latest catastrophe for Africa’s economies, collapsing commodity prices, disrupting manufacturing and virtually killing off international tourism. The result has been a sharp reduction in GDP growth. Together with widening deficits, unsustainable debt, and a drop in Foreign Direct Investment and remittances, the effects of COVID-19 will jeopardize the progress of the Least Developed Countries in Africa towards sustainable development for years to come. The virus knows no borders, and so the vaccine itself must not be subject to nationalism or protectionism. But likewise, climate response plans must be cooperative, ambitious and fair. Economic recovery packages must focus on debt eradication and have the most vulnerable at their heart. This confluence of crises demands a new solidarity. 46 countries are designated as being the ‘least developed countries’ or LDCs - and 33 of these are in Africa. These countries, from Angola to Zambia, face multiple challenges, including weak economies and low exports – issues that have only got worse since the pandemic struck. All of these problems are compounded by other challenges like conflict, inequality and climate change. A high rate of urbanisation among African LDCs makes cities and urban centres increasingly vulnerable to the impact of disasters. Without strong and purposeful governance that aspires towards structural transformation and sustainable development, economic and social outcomes in these LDCs will remain weak. A major meeting will be held virtually in Malawi this month to help build an ambitious new programme for action for LDCs to build momentum and partnerships as the final decade of action for the 2030 agenda gathers pace. The meeting will assess how African LDCs and Haiti are achieving sustainable development, and agree recommendations to help them accelerate progress over the next decade. The meeting will also seek to strengthen support by the international community for the LDCs. The outcome of the African Regional Review will lay out plans for a renewed partnership for sustainable development between the LDCs and their development partners. That new partnership will be agreed at the Fifth United Nations Conference on the LDCs – known as LDC5 – a major landmark in the efforts of LDCs and their partners to overcome core challenges, including the COVID crisis. Hosted by Qatar and taking place in early 2022, decisions made by world leaders at LDC5 will have the potential to transform the lives of no less than a billion of the world’s most vulnerable people. Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the African Regional Review meeting will be held online and bring together ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development from across the continent. They will be joined by representatives from development partner nations, international and regional organisations, the private sector, academia and civil society. The meeting is based on a bottom-up approach to preparing for LDC5 that ensures the needs of LDCs are clarified and heard. African LDCs have already completed national reviews on development progress and these will be the main inputs for the regional meeting. LDC5 will represent a reaffirmation of the global commitment to the special needs of LDCs at this critical time. With the COVID crisis still in full flame, climate change untamed and a new economic and debt crisis rolling around the world, the stakes for the conference could not be higher. And so, with a year to go, the preparatory process is already well underway. It is not hyperbolic to suggest we are facing a difficult set of complex problems like humanity never has before. And, as is too often the case, it is the weakest economies and the most vulnerable countries that are facing the effects most. It is precisely because of the scale of our problems that we must be honest with ourselves, and each other. We have the capacity to handle everything ahead of us – we just need the will. We have great multilateral systems of cooperation – we just need to invest in them. And we have incredible energy and activism, especially from our youth – we just need to listen to what they say. The pandemic has erected physical borders between us, and these will be temporarily. We must not let it erect new ideological or political barriers, which will be far longer lasting. Great change seems inevitable and just over the horizon. How we meet that change will not only say a lot about the systems we have built but will set the next course for humanity. Authored by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), which supports groups of vulnerable countries in the United Nations System.

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14 January 2022

COVID-19 Vaccines on wheels

It’s a sunny Tuesday morning in Boyole Village, 25km north of Kasungu district in Central Malawi. The rainy season in the tobacco-growing district is blighted by a prolonged heatwave that makes long walks unbearable for many, but Egrita Phiri appears undeterred. The mother of seven is returning from her maize field when she hears a branded van playing hit songs and messages on the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19. She promptly waves the vaccination express to stop under a mango tree by her house. “There is no better time to protect myself,” she says: “With this, I don’t have to endure long travels in the scorching sunshine or pay for transport to get vaccinated.” As community health workers write down her background information in a register and on a green card, more villagers arrive to get vaccinated. A story of love Some 15 more people got vaccinated by the time the team deployed by Kasungu District Health Office with support from UNICEF Malawi and Kamuzu College of Health Sciences departed for the next stop. UNICEF is also supporting safe storage and distribution of the vaccines the Government of Malawi acquires through the COVAX facility backed by the World Health Organisation. “I am now vaccinated to protect myself and my family from the current and future COVID-19 waves. Surely, I wouldn’t have been vaccinated if the van had not come close to home,” Egrita says. For the wife of village chief Boyole, protecting one another is a love story. “No one is safe until we all get vaccinated,” she said after getting the first jab of AstraZeneca. She is due for the second in March. Her husband got the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine in August at Kasungu District Hospital. The couple first heard of the COVID-19 vaccination on the radio in March 2021 when Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera publicly got his first shot, kick-starting the nationwide campaign. “That showed me the vaccine was safe, but it wasn’t easily accessible,” says the woman whose desire to get vaccinated was ramped up by deaths of over 2 000 Malawians, including two ministers and four lawmakers. The third and deadliest wave forced the government to turn a presidential palace and a stadium into emergency hospitals to lessen pressure on the healthcare system. “COVID-19 doesn’t choose, so my husband did well to protect himself. I have been hearing health workers on the radio saying most of those hospitalised or dying from the virus are those who shun the vaccine. I need to be healthy to take care of my family, crops and the community,” she explains. Symbol of acceptance Egrita’s husband, Group Village Headman Boyole is happy that his wife is no longer a symbol of vaccine hesitancy. He considers the jab as the single most important weapon against the virus, which has claimed over 2000 lives in Malawi. He states: “After three futile trips to Kasungu District Hospital, which cost about K10 000 (about $12), I received the vaccine together on 23 August 2021 to protect myself, my family and my people. “I wish I had done it in my village for my people to learn from me. The vaccine is safe and my wife was motivated because it didn’t kill me. Bringing it closer to those who need is increasing the number of those getting vaccinated and the understanding that it is safe for everyone.” The vaccinators also address questions face-to-face, clarifying fears, myths and misconceptions. This excites GVH Boyole, who publicly talks about the dangers of COVID-19 and the benefits of the free vaccines, including during meetings and funerals. “Every adult should protect themselves,” he says. “With the express vaccination van, no one bears any financial cost or hardships to get vaccinated. Instead of going to them, the health workers are coming to us.” Mercy Tchale, one of 16 health surveillance assistants at Dwangwa Health Centre, was accustomed to promoting sanitation and hygiene, family planning, immunisation for children aged below five and monitoring their growth curve. However, COVID-19 has pushed her to the frontline where she now promotes preventive measures and administers vaccines to communities surrounding the rural health facility. “The pandemic challenges us to embrace innovative ideas to protect our people and the understaffed health sector from being overwhelmed,” she says. The community health worker assures everyone that COVID-19 vaccines are like any other—a shot at a healthy life in a world struggling with contagious diseases. She explains: “The number of people who were coming to the health facility to get vaccinated was fewer than 20 a day, but now we are vaccinating over 100 when we go to them. “This is a no mean achievement. Clearly, people no longer have to stop doing activities that bring food to their homes and travel long to get vaccinated.” Tackling misinformation Joseph Chitsime, coordinator of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in Kasungu, is excited that the mobile teams have helped clear doses that would have expired on New Year's eve. The team vaccinates in a day the count they once did in eight days, he says. “Before we rolled out the vaccination express on 7 November 2021, we were lucky if 40 people came to get vaccinated in all our health facilities. Now our four teams vaccinate 250 to 300 a day,” explains Chitsime. The express vaccination team includes health promoters who spread accurate messages about the vaccine, HSAs who go door-to-door and stop in strategic places to vaccinate those who are willing and community leaders who mobilise their people.” Original Source

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15 October 2021

First Lady calls for more empowerment of girls withdrawn from early marriages

The First Lady of the Republic of Malawi Monica Chakwera has called for more innovative and strategic ways of supporting girls that are withdrawn from early marriages if Malawi is to move towards great milestones in the fight against violence against the girl child. Chakwera made the remarks on International Day of the Girl Child during the screening of ‘A Girl’s Gaze’ – a documentary by Belgian Journalists focusing on issues of gender-based violence, including child marriage, girls trafficking and girls’ position in society, as well as how these are exacerbated by climate change. The First Lady said it was disheartening to watch girls continue to face a lot of challenges even after being withdrawn from the marriages and deciding to start all over. “This documentary has challenged us all to think through and deeply on strategies that will ensure girls withdrawn from child marriages don’t go back there,” she said. Chakwera commended the strides the Spotlight Initiative is registering in eliminating violence against women and girls, but said more efforts are needed from all stakeholders to win the fight against gender-based violence as Malawi still ranks 12th on child marriages globally. “I am very happy to hear that the Spotlight Initiative, which is a partnership between the EU and UN has registered tremendous results in six districts since its inception. I do hope that the good practices in these six districts will trickle down and impact the lives of girls in the other districts as well,” said Chakwera. Speaking earlier during a panel discussion that was organized as part of the event, United Nations Resident Coordinator Maria Jose Torres said, besides other factors such as poverty, climate change has greatly contributed to child marriages in the country. Torres said girls are forced into early marriages due to pressures that homes experience as a result of the effects of climate change such as drought. “Climate change has really exacerbated child marriages in most least developed countries (LDCs), including Malawi. We need to put into action different commitments made to mitigate the impacts of climate change. It is encouraging to note that Malawi has included climate change as a priority in its long-term development strategy, the Malawi Vision 2063,” she said. In his remarks, European Union Ambassador to Malawi Rune Skinnebach said achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls are vital to building fair, inclusive, prosperous, and peaceful societies everywhere. “It is sad that when experiencing acute poverty, families and sometimes girls themselves see marriage as a way to reduce family costs and gain financial security,” said Skinnebach. In her introduction to the documentary, A Girl’s Gaze, General Representative of Flanders in Southern Africa Dr. Geraldine Reymenants said the documentary was developed to raise awareness and stir a debate around issues relating to empowerment of girls. “Let us see the girls included in the documentary as individuals who are being empowered and not as victims,” she added. The screening of A Girl’s Gaze is being spearheaded by the Embassy of Belgium and the EU in partnership with the United Nations in Malawi. Besides screening in Lilongwe and Blantyre, the documentary will also be screened for girls in secondary schools across the country.

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03 October 2021

Scaling up the fight against malnutrition

The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Coordinator of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Ms. Gerda Verburg visited Malawi from 31 August to 3 September 2021. During the visit, she participated in the launch of Malawi’s Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN 3.0) Strategy and interact with various stakeholders on efforts to eliminate malnutrition in the country. Verburg speaks more about the fight against malnutrition in the responses below: The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement was established over a decade ago to end malnutrition. What progress has the SUN movement achieved in countries like Malawi to eliminate malnutrition since it was established? I’m pleased to share that the SUN Movement has supported its now 64 member states to make some significant nutrition advances. Malawi has created one of the first SUN country movements. Support comes through an expanding network community that today includes more than 3,000 civil society organisations, some 900 small and medium-sized businesses, and 16 United Nations agencies, both in-country and international. Currently, 23 SUN countries are on track to reach the global breastfeeding target, while 35 are on track to reach the global child overweight target, and 10 are on track to reach the global stunting target – and these figures are increasing each year. It is exciting to see is the transformation of “how” countries are tackling malnutrition. Many are now applying the SUN multi-stakeholder, multisectoral approach. In fact, 42 SUN Member States now have a national nutrition plan which brings together sectors and stakeholders, while 19 countries have included their national SUN Focal Point in their national emergency response team. It is “a must” to include food and nutrition security in each and every emergency response team. Malawi has launched the Scaling Up Nutrition 3.0 Strategy. What does this mean to nutrition efforts in the country? How crucial is this strategy? It was an honour to take part in Malawi’s launch of the SUN 3.0 Strategy. The powerful launch event really demonstrated the strong energy, commitment, and ambition here in Malawi – across all sectors, led by the President – to fight malnutrition in all its forms, towards making good nutrition understood, accessible and affordable for every family in Malawi. I was also touched by the strong and concrete commitments of 10 stakeholder groups, including traditional and religious leaders, media and young people. I will share this inspiring example with other SUN country movements. The SUN 3.0 Strategy further strengthens the “country-driven and country-led” approach of SUN, which has always been at our core. What we saw and heard at the launch event was that the SUN 3.0 Strategy is one catalyst to bring all people together to fight malnutrition as one, because “nutrition is the engine of change and progress”. If Malawi gets nutrition right, socio-economic development, better education, health, productivity, escaping poverty innovation and sustainability will follow easily. Why? Because nutrition is an investment in human capacity and human capacity is the best capital a country has to catalyse development. Malawi is a leader among others in how it is engaging with the SUN 3.0 multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder approach, and should be applauded for this. Considering that Malawi has been implementing SUN interventions for more than 10 years, do you see any difference that the new strategy has from the previous efforts to eliminate malnutrition in the country? Malawi has been a SUN Movement Member Country since 2011, and since then has demonstrated clear achievements. So much so, that it was one of the first SUN Early Risers – those developing countries that had begun to scale up nutrition action at the national level. The expectation now is that, with the implementation of SUN 3.0, Malawi will further gear up to make significant measurable strides in tackling malnutrition by strengthening and expanding its multistakeholder and multisectoral collaboration at community and district levels Malawi is often criticised for having good policies and strategies which it fails to fully implement. How do you assess the implementation of the previous SUN strategies in Malawi? The numbers speak for themselves here in Malawi. As national SUN Focal Point Dr Felix Pensulo Phiri shared during the launch event, since joining the SUN Movement in 2011, this enabling environment has helped Malawi to reduce stunting from 47% to 33% in 2021; iron deficiency from 51% to 22%; and Vitamin A deficiency from 22% to 4%. These are quite significant figures. But more progress still needs to be made, and new forms of malnutrition are making their way to Malawi, that will now need to be tackled. Overweight is increasing in the country, and it is impacting everyone – children and adults, men and women. This causes not just health issues, but also economic issues for a nation. As the President pointed out at the launch event, trying to respond to problems is more expensive than investing in preventing them from happening. And so, it is encouraging to see that Malawi is now poised to invest in more preventative actions through investing in human and financial capacity. This is the kind of systemic change needed to make malnutrition part of history in Malawi. What support will the the SUN Movement be providing to ensure the new SUN 3.0 strategy is fully implemented in Malawi? The SUN Movement is comprised of a SUN Business Network, a SUN Civil Society Network, UN Nutrition, a SUN Donor Network and a SUN Movement Secretariat. Through our new SUN 3.0 Strategy, these structures will be closely aligned and will work jointly and complementarily to further strengthen support tailored to the demand and need of Malawi. Malnutrition is compounded by the recurring climate crisis as communities and families often lose their livelihoods and food when disasters strike. How can countries like Malawi build resilience for good nutrition? This is very critical question, and very relevant. During the launch event, the President highlighted the importance of diversifying diets here in Malawi. Specifically, he called on the people of Malawi to commit to reducing their nsima consumption by 10% per year and replacing this with other more nutritious foods. I applaud the President for this very concrete guidance on what is needed and what families can do themselves All men, women and young people, have a role to play in awareness raising and decision making on good nutrition, and this, together with the reform of the Malawian Food System, will certainly strengthen the resiliency of your beautiful country to move towards more food diversity that is nutritious and affordable and less dependence on costly food imports during lean seasons. Women play a vital role in ensuring good nutrition for households. What is the cost of leaving women behind on nutrition and how can this be avoided so that women are at the forefront of efforts to end malnutrition in communities? Yes, women play a vital role in ensuring good nutrition, and women also suffer disproportionately from malnutrition. But, as I said at the launch event, it is not solely a women issue. Nutrition requires the commitment of everyone – across ministries, throughout communities, and within families. It is about women, but men need to rise up to invest in their families, their communities, and their future. The cost of malnutrition, in all its forms, carries huge direct and indirect costs to individuals, families and to entire nations. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has estimated that the impact on the global economy could be as high as US$3.5 trillion per year, or US$500 per individual. Malawi is losing 10.6% of GDP annually due to hampered productivity caused by malnutrition. But malnutrition does more than cost dollars, it costs lives. It is estimated that up to 45% of all preventable child deaths are caused by undernutrition, while severely undernourished children are up to nine times more likely to die than well-nourished children. Ensuring women have access to good nutrition goes a long way to ensuring that their children do too. What things need to change to ensure every child, adolescent, mother, and family realises their right to food and nutrition to reach their full potential? This requires the multi-stakeholder and multisector approach outlined in SUN 3.0. It takes the involvement of stakeholders from government, but also of businesses, civil society, academia, clergy – everyone; and the involvement of all sectors including the health sector, but also the finance, agriculture, social protection, gender, planning, education, religious and local sectors. Only if all these players really work together on implementation at the family and community levels can game-changing transformation happen in our efforts to bring good nutrition to everyone, everywhere. With the UN Food Systems Summit happening in New York on 23rd September 2021, how can countries like Malawi take advantage of the Summit to boost efforts to end malnutrition? The UN Food Systems Summit and the upcoming global Nutrition for Growth Summit in Tokyo in December provide good mechanisms through which countries, including Malawi, can share their commitments to achieving their nutrition goals. Both summits also promote a country-based multi-stakeholder and multisectoral approach, so leveraging these can also benefit Malawi. I’ve invited the President, the government, and all stakeholders to make strong commitments at each of these summits. By doing this, Malawi could inspire other countries to step up as well. Besides this, 2022 will very likely be the “African year of nutrition and investing in human capacity”, which is a great year to set the pace towards Africa becoming a healthy and nutritious food basket for countries and worldwide. From a food systems perspective, transformation means progress towards all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We can no longer afford to sit in silos looking at only one aspect without looking at others. For this reason, I was especially pleased to have the opportunity to meet this week with Malawi’s Honourable Ministers of Health, Agriculture and Finance to explore with each this important multisectoral approach. Very fruitful discussions took place in this regard. Do you have any additional comments on this issue? It was great to participate in the ambitious launch. I now look forward to ambitious impact and the SUN Movement Global Support System will be there to support where needed.

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01 July 2021

A Global Model to Tackle Violence Against Women

As the world grapples unevenly with the effects of COVID-19, a parallel and equally horrific pandemic has threatened half the world’s population. In the early months of the pandemic, the United Nations projected that quarantines and lockdowns could lead to a shocking 15 million additional cases of gender-based violence every three months. Sadly, those predictions appear to be coming true. This week, world leaders and others will gather at the Generation Equality Forum in Paris and online in a massive push for gender equality. At that meeting, I will call on states, companies and individuals to join in a global initiative, with proven results, to end the fear and insecurity that threaten the health, rights, dignity and lives of so many women and girls. From domestic violence to sexual exploitation, trafficking, child marriage, female genital mutilation and online harassment, violent misogyny has thrived in the shadow of the pandemic. Full data will take time to collect and assess, but the trends are clear. In twelve countries tracked by the United Nations, the number of cases of violence against women and girls reported to various institutions increased 83 per cent from 2019 to 2020, and cases reported to the police grew by 64 per cent. In the first months of the pandemic, calls to helplines increased by an average of 60 per cent across the European Union. Calls to Peru’s sexual violence hotline almost doubled in 2020 compared to 2019. In Thailand, the number of clients visiting domestic violence crisis units in hospitals in April 2020 was more than double the number from the same time period of the previous year. Such statistics and stories span the world, adding to an existing epidemic of violence against women and girls. Before the pandemic, the World Health Organization estimated that one in three women would experience male violence in their lifetime. Just over a year ago, I raised the alarm. Echoing my call for a global ceasefire, I appealed for peace in the home -- an end to all violence everywhere, from war zones to people’s homes -- to allow us to face the pandemic, humankind’s common enemy, with solidarity and unity. More than 140 countries expressed support. Some 800 measures have been adopted in 149 countries, the majority focused on shelter, legal assistance and other services and support. But, in many cases, these actions have been limited and short lived. Worse, other countries are retreating, rolling back legal protections and standing by as violence is used to target women, including human rights defenders protesting these reversals. The pervasiveness of violence against women and girls has led to acquiescence that it is somehow inevitable or impossible to end. This is as outrageous and self-defeating as it is plain wrong. Despite the challenges of the past year, the United Nations, with significant funding from and partnership with the European Union, has demonstrated that change is possible. Over the course of 2020, the Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls has delivered notable results in 25 countries. Eighty-four laws and policies to protect women and girls were adopted or strengthened. Prosecution of perpetrators increased 22 per cent. Some 650,000 women and girls received services despite lockdowns and mobility restrictions. Close to 900,000 men and boys -- including traditional leaders, heads of religious institutions, male taxi drivers and young gamers -- were engaged to be allies in finding solutions. And across these countries, national budget allocations for preventing and responding to violence against women and girls increased by 32 per cent, a clear indication of future sustainability. By coming together, in Paris, around a proven model, we can begin to ensure that the next generation of girls will not be expected to live with fear simply because we didn’t act. In time, there will be many lessons learned about what the world got right and wrong in handling this pandemic. One of the first must be to ensure that this disgraceful hidden pandemic facing half our population ends now.

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21 May 2021

Launch of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Malawi Chapter

INTRODUCTION The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) launched its Malawian Chapter in Lilongwe on 2 March 2020 under the theme: Intergenerational leadership: Malawian Women Working Together for the Malawi we want. In attendance were over 350 women, men and youth. These women were drawn from various sectors and groups such as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Youth networks Private Sector entities, , women in business including entrepreneurs, Parliament, local councils, political parties, academic institutions and students, women living in rural areas, Government Ministries, departments and agencies, UN Agencies and Development partners, among others. Prior to the launch, UN Women in collaboration with Ministry of Gender, Children Disability and Social Welfare, engaged various stakeholders and put in place a national taskforce that facilitated preparations for the launch. Critical as well was the involvement of key development partners such as the German Embassy/Federal Republic of German (Malawi Foreign office), The Royal Norwegian Embassy, and the Embassy of Ireland Malawi. In consolidating the aim of AWLN, the African Union was also involved in linking the AWLN mission to the African Union Agenda 2063. KEY MESSAGES Key Speakers at the launch included the Ambassador Steinar Egil Hagen, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Malawi; Mr Juergen Thomas representing Ambassador Jurgen T Borsch, German Embassy in Malawi; UN Resident Coordinator Maria Jose Torres whose speech preceded the Video Statement by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women Executive Director; H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze High Commissioner of Zimbabwe to Malawi who read statement by H.E. Madame Bineta Diop – AU Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security; Erica Maganga, Principal Secretary for MOGCDSW; Hon Mary Thom Navicha, Minister, Ministry of Gender, Children disability and Social Welfare. The Minister officially launched the AWLN Malawi Chapter. The common thread message of the speeches was the recognition of ALWN as a critical platform to spur inclusive development by harnessing leadership roles of African women. AWLN was recognized as an opportunity for building a great legacy in as far advancing Gender Equality and Women Empowerment is concerned. INTERGENERATIONAL DIALOGUE During the launch, a Panel discussion was held. This involved women representing 3 key generations (i.e. from before the Beijing Declaration and Platform and afterwards in 1995; from 1996 to 2005, from 2006 to date) in symbolising the nexus between generational needs and the need for intergenerational leadership in advancing inclusive development and gender equality and women empowerment. Key conclusions from the dialogue were: Women representing different generations should work together and advance gender equality Young women should be supported such as through mentorship; Young women led organisations should be supported with funding to empower them implement interventions for transformative change interventions Women leaders need to undertake sustainable efforts beyond their generations so that other women in future should build on gains made. PRIORITIES FOR MALAWI CHAPTER AND NEXT STEPS Priorities areas for the Malawi Chapter include: 1. Empowering women living in rural areas; 2. Financial inclusion; 3. Women’s participation in politics and decision-making positions; 4. Young women and intergenerational leadership; 5. Gender Based Violence and 6. Peace and security. Key next steps include the establishment of the National Steering committee; development of a consolidated workplan for the AWLN Malawi Chapter to provide direction of post launch activities and cascading the National Chapter to the district and community levels to ensure all women at all levels participate in the AWLN. ACHIEVEMENTS So far, AWLN, women leaders and women-led NGOs have formed the Feminist Macroeconomic Alliance aimed at ensuring gender-sensitive macroeconomic policies in Malawi. The alliance is championing the engendering of macroeconomic policies such as the current discourse on gender and tax justice, and debt management. AWLN has also created a vibrant Young Feminist Movement that is carrying out nationwide advocacy on women’s human rights especially on ending all forms of violence against women and girls. The young feminist network is also bridging the inter-generational gap, with their voice and agency contributing to the fight against gender-based violence and the promotion of women’s rights.

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Press Release

11 January 2022

Protocols for Students Returning to Schools on 4th Jan 2022

PRESS STATEMENT Lilongwe Students in Day Institutions (Public and Private Primary, Secondary, Colleges and Universities) Prior to reporting to Day Institutions, students that are feeling unwell should visit their nearest health facility for a health check. The health service provider will determine whether the student should be referred for a COVID-19 test or not. Students that test positive must isolate for 10 days at home before reporting to school. During the course of the term if the student feels unwell he/she will be isolated and referred to the nearest health service provider who will determine whether the student should be referred for a COVID- 19 test or not. If the student tests positive, they will be required to isolate at home for 10 days. Students in Boarding Institutions (Public and Private Primary, Secondary, Colleges and Universities) Prior to reporting to Boarding Institutions, students that are feeling unwell should visit their nearest health facility for a health check. The health service provider shall determine whether the student should be referred for a COVID-19 test or not. Students that test positive will be required to isolate for 10 days at home before reporting to school. When students arrive on the first day, they will be screened for symptoms of COVID- 19 (fever, cough, scratchy / sore throats, body pains, loss of taste and smell etc.) Students with symptoms of COVID -19 will be referred to a health provider who shall determine whether to test them for COVID-19 or not. If the student tests positive, he/she will be required to be isolated within the institution for 10 days before returning to class. Students and Staff (Boarding and Day) During the course of the term/semester, if a student or staff member feels unwell he/she will be isolated and referred to the nearest health service provider. At all times institutions are reminded to provide necessary psychosocial support to both students and members of staff. All institutions are required to ensure that all students and staff adhere to all COVID-19 prevention protocols (physical distancing, mask wearing, sanitizing / hand washing, decontamination of frequently touched surfaces and vaccinations) and updated standard operating procedures. Students are required to provide their own masks. Vaccinations Pfizer vaccines are now available in health facilities for age groups 12-17 years. In keeping with the latest guidelines from Ministry of Health, parents are strongly encouraged to use this opportunity to have their children vaccinated. Students aged 18 years and above and members of staff are also encouraged to get vaccinated with the other available COVID-19 vaccines. Members of staff and students are reminded that vaccines provide protection against developing severe disease, risk of hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19, and as such are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. Below are contacts numbers to be used for further information and clarification: Ministry of Education hotline 01789327 Ministry of Health toll free number 929 Chikondano C. Mussa Dr. Charles Mwansambo SECRETRAY FOR EDUCATION SECRETARY FOR HEALTH

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Press Release

12 January 2022

COVID-19 Testing Sites in Malawi - as of 28th Dec 2021

MINISTRY OF HEALTH PRESS RELEASE COVID-19 TESTING SITES Updated 28th December 2021 To improve access to COVID-19 testing, the Ministry of Health has increased antigen testing sites to 320 across the country on top of the 15 Molecular laboratories which are performing real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing for COVID-19. Please be reminded that the most common symptoms of Covid-19 include fever, dry cough, and tiredness, while in some patients present with aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, rash on the skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes. When one has these symptoms, there is need to seek care early and have a COVID-19 test. COVID-19 testing can be assessed from the following public and private health facilities: Table 1: COVID-19 PCR Testing Sites NO. SITE SERVICE OFFERED LILONGWE 1 Kamuzu Central Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing, and Paying COVID-19 Testing and Issuance of Traveller’s Certificate 2 University of North Carolina (UNC) Public Free COVID-19 Testing 3 Public Health Institute of Malawi (CHSU) Public Free COVID-19 Testing, and Paying COVID-19 Testing and Issuance of Traveller's Certificate 4 Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) Public Free COVID-19 Testing BLANTYRE 5 Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing, and Paying COVID-19 Testing and Issuance of Traveller's Certificate 6 DREAM Alumando- Blantyre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 7 Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (College of Medicine) Paying COVID-19 Testing 8 Malawi-Liverpool- Wellcome Trust Public Free COVID-19 Testing ZOMBA 9 Zomba Central Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing, and Paying COVID-19 Testing and Issuance of Traveller's Certificate NSANJE 10 Nsanje District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing THYOLO 11 Thyolo District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 12 Malawi University of Science and Technology Paying COVID-19 Testing BALAKA 13 Dream Balaka Laboratory Public Free COVID-19 Testing MZIMBA SOUTH 14 Mzimba District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing MZIMBA NORTH 15 Mzuzu Central Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing, and Paying COVID-19 Testing and Issuance of Traveller's Certificate Table 2: COVID-19 Antigen Testing Sites N0 SITE SERVICE BE OFFERED CHITIPA 1. Chitipa District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 2. Kaseye Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 3. Nthalire Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 4. Mbilima Boarder Public Free COVID-19 Testing 5. Misuku Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 6. Mahowe Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 7. Wenya Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 8. Kapenda Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 9. Thelere Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 10. Wenya Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 11. Ifumbo Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 12. Chisansu Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 13. Chambo Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 14. Msumbe Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 15. Kameme Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing KARONGA 16. Karonga District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 17. Chilumba Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 18. Chilumba Barracks Public Free COVID-19 Testing 19. St Annies Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 20. Atupele Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 21. Songwe Boarder Public Free COVID-19 Testing RUMPHI 22. Rumphi District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 23. Bolero Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 24. David Gordon Memorial Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 25. Katowo Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing MZIMBA NORTH 26. Mzuzu Central Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 27. Mzuzu Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 28. St John’s Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 29. Ekwendeni Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 30. MASM, Medi-Clinic Katoto Paying COVID-19 Testing 31. Mubwe Clinic Paying COVID-19 Testing 32. Mzuzu University Public Free COVID-19 Testing 33. Moyale Barracks Public Free COVID-19 Testing 34. Wezi Medical Centre Paying COVID-19 Testing MZIMBA SOUTH 35. Mzimba District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 36. Embangweni Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 37. Euthini Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 38. Jenda Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 39. Katete Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 40. Mzambazi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 41. Mbalachanda Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing NKHATA BAY 42. Nkhata Bay District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 43. Chintheche Comm. Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing LIKOMA 44. St Peters Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 45. Chima Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing LILONGWE 46. Bwaila Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 47. Kamuzu Central hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 48. Area 25 Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 49. Kawale Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 50. Mitundu Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 51. Area 18 Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 52. NKhoma Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 53. St Gabriel Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 54. Mlare Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 55. Kabudula Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 56. Nathanje Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 57. Lumbadzi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 58. City Centre Clinic Paying COVID-19 Testing 59. Lighthouse Trust, KCH Public Free COVID-19 Testing 60. Lighthouse Trust, Martin Preuss Centre, Bwaila Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 61. Chileka Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 62. Likuni Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 63. Tachira Private Clinic Paying COVID-19 Testing 64. Maula Prison Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 65. UNC Project Public Free COVID-19 Testing 66. Daeyang Luke Public Free COVID-19 Testing 67. Kamuzu Palace Public Free COVID-19 Testing 68. ABC clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 69. MASM Lingadzi Paying COVID-19 Testing 70. Diaphwi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 71. Nsaru Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 72. Mtenthera Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 73. Biwi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 74. Khongani Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 75. Kang'oma Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 76. Child Legacy Public Free COVID-19 Testing 77. Area 30 Police Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 78. Dzenza Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 79. Nambuma Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 80. Mbwatalika Mission Public Free COVID-19 Testing 81. Matapila H. Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 82. FPAM Kawale Public Free COVID-19 Testing 83. Chitedze H.C Public Free COVID-19 Testing 84. Lilongwe Adventist Hospital Paying COVID-19 Testing 85. Partners in Hope (PIH) Paying COVID-19 Testing 86. Dickson Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 87. Kamuzu Barracks Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 88. LUANAR Public Free COVID-19 Testing 89. Natural Resources College Public Free COVID-19 Testing 90. Apex Medical Laboratories Paying COVID-19 Testing 91. Nthambi Private Clinic Paying Covid – 19 Testing 92. Centre for Medical Diagnostic (CMED) Paying Covid -19 Testing 93. Blessings Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 94. Area 18 Medi clinic Paying Covid -19 Testing KASUNGU 95. Kasungu District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 96. Nkhamenya Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 97. Kaluluma Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 98. St Andrews Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 99. Mziza Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 100. K2 Tigwirane Manja AIDS Support Organisation (K2-TASO) Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing NKHOTAKOTA 101. Nkhotakota District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 102. St Annie’s Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 103. Alinafe Community Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 104. Matiki Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing NTCHISI 105. Ntchisi District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 106. Malomo Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 107. Kangolwa Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 108. Malambo Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 109. Mzandu Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 110. Chinthembwe Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 111. Ntchisi Prison Public Free COVID-19 Testing 112. Sambakusi Heaith Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 113. Nthondo Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 114. Mndinda Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 115. Chinguluwe Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 116. Kamsonga Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 117. Khuzi Health Crentre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 118. Khuwi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing DOWA 119. Dowa District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 120. Mponela Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 121. Madisi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 122. Kasese Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 123. Mtengo Wanthenga Mission Public Free COVID-19 Testing 124. Chezi Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 125. Mvera Army Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 126. Dzaleka Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing MCHINJI 127. Mchinji District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 128. Kapiri Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 129. Ludzi Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 130. Guilleme Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 131. Mchinji Border Public Free COVID-19 Testing DEDZA 132. Dedza District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 133. Mua Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 134. Mtendere Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 135. Kasina Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 136. Ntakataka Police H/Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 137. Dedza Border Public Free COVID-19 Testing SALIMA 138. Salima District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 139. Salima Life Line Public Free COVID-19 Testing 140. Mafco Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 141. Baptist Mission Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 142. Ntcheu District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 143. FPAM Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 144. SisterThereza Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 145. Lake View Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 146. Bilira Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 147. Katsekera Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 148. Manjawira Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 149. Nsiyaludzu Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 150. Nzama Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing NTCHEU 151. Nsipe Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 152. Tsangano Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 153. Mlanda Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 154. Bwanje Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 155. Kandeu Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 156. Kasinje Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 157. Lizulu Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 158. Matanda Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 159. Senzani Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 160. Chikande Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 161. Masasa Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 162. Chigodi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 163. Muluma Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 164. Gowa Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 165. Kapeni Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing MANGOCHI 166. Mangochi District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 167. Koche Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 168. St Martins Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 169. Mama Hadija Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 170. Assalam Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 171. Mehboob Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 172. Mulibwanji Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 173. Maritime Forces Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 174. Monkey Bay Community Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 175. St Mary’s Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing BALAKA 176. Balaka District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 177. Balaka DREAM Laboratory Public Free COVID-19 Testing 178. Phalula Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 179. Nandumbo Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing MACHINGA 180. Machinga District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 181. Machinga Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 182. Nainunje Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 183. Ntaja Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 184. Matawale Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 185. St. Luke’s Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 186. Ngwelero Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 187. Pirimiti Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 188. Domasi Community Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 189. City Private Clinic Paying COVID-19 Testing ZOMBA 190. Sadzi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 191. Chamba Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 192. Thondwe Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 193. Lighthouse Trust, Tisungane Public Free COVID-19 Testing 194. Zomba Central Prison Public Free COVID-19 Testing 195. Cobbe Barracks Public Free COVID-19 Testing 196. Chancellor College Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 197. Mayaka Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 198. Chilipa Health Center Public Free COVID-19 Testing 199. Zomba Central Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 200. Chisi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 201. Maera Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 202. Lambulira Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 203. Chingale Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 204. Zilindo Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 205. Nasawa Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 206. City Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 207. Lambulira Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 208. Machinjiri Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 209. Makwapala Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 210. Mmambo Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 211. Likangala Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 212. Police Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 213. Bimbi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 214. Domasi College Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 215. Changalume Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 216. Mwandama Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 217. Nkasala Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 218. Naisi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 219. Namadidi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 220. Namikango Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 221. Namasalima Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 222. Matiya Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 223. Chinguma Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 224. Lungazi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing NENO 225. Neno District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 226. Lisungwi Community Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing MWANZA 227. Mwanza District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 228. Mwanza Border Public Free COVID-19 Testing BLANTYRE 229. Ndirande Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 230. Bangwe Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 231. Blantyre DREAM Public Free COVID-19 Testing 232. Mlambe Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 233. Chileka Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 234. Queens Elizabeth Central Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 235. Mpemba Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 236. Limbe Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 237. Gateway Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 238. South Lunzu Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 239. Mwaiwathu Hospital Paying COVID-19 Testing 240. College of Medicine Clinic Paying COVID-19 Testing 241. MASM, Limbe Paying COVID-19 Testing 242. Blantyre Adventist Hospital Paying COVID-19 Testing 243. John Hopkins Project Public Free COVID-19 Testing 244. Lab Care Clinic Paying COVID-19 Testing 245. Chitawira Private Hospital Paying COVID-19 Testing 246. Malamulo Day Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 247. Shifa Hospital Paying COVID-19 Testing 248. Lighthouse Umodzi Public Free COVID-19 Testing 249. Malmed Healthcare Paying COVID-19 Testing 250. Kameza Isolation Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 251. Zingwangwa Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 252. Blantyre Water Board Public Free COVID-19 Testing 253. Beit Cure Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 254. Chilomoni Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing CHIRADZULU 255. Chiradzulu District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 256. St Joseph Mission Hospital Paying COVID-19 Testing Phalombe 257. Phalombe Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 258. Holy Family Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 259. Migowi Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing MULANJE 260. Mulanje District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 261. Mulanje Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 262. Namasalima Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 263. Chonde Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 264. Friends of Mulanje Orphans Public Free COVID-19 Testing 265. Chambe Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 266. Mulomba Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 267. Kambenje Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 268. Thuchila Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 269. Namphungo Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 270. Namulenga Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 271. Nkomaula Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 272. Dzenje Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 273. Mbiza Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 274. Chinyama Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 275. Thembe Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 276. Mpala Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 277. Chisitu Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 278. Milonde Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 279. Lujeri Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 280. Namphimba Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 281. Muloza Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 282. Bondo Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 283. Mimosa Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing THYOLO 284. Thyolo District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 285. Thunga Parish Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 286. Malamulo Adventist Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 287. Thekerani Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 288. St Martins Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 289. Bvumbwe Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 290. Malawi University of Science Technology Public Free COVID-19 Testing CHIKWAWA 291. Chikwawa District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 292. St Montfort Mission Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 293. Illovo Clinic Public Free COVID-19 Testing 294. Ngabu Community Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 295. Majete 1 Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 296. Chithumba Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 297. Gaga Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 298. Gola Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 299. Dolo Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 300. Mkumaniza Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 301. Ngabu SDA Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 302. Chipwaila Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 303. Ndakwera Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 304. Kapichira Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 305. Nchalo Hunger Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 306. Bereu Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 307. Chapananga Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 308. Kakoma Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 309. Majete 2 Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 310. Makhwira Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 311. Maperera Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 312. Mfera Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 313. Misomali Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 314. Majete 3 Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing NSANJE 315. Nsanje District Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 316. Marka Border Public Free COVID-19 Testing 317. Tengani Health centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 318. Kalemba Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing 319. Trinity Misison Hospital Public Free COVID-19 Testing 320. Masenjere Health Centre Public Free COVID-19 Testing Remember to : Watch your distance! Wash your hands! Wear your mask! Get Vaccinated! Seek care early upon development of symptoms of COVID-19. Call toll free 929. Dr. Charles Mwansambo SECRETARY FOR HEALTH

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Press Release

11 January 2022

COVID-19 Response Level 2 Announced - 16 Dec 2021

GOVERNMENT OF MALAWI PRESS STATEMENT COVID-19 SITUATION UPDATE AS OF 16 TH DECEMBER 2021 In the past 24 hours, Malawi has registered 475 new COVID-19 cases, 40 new recoveries and one new death. 458 of the new cases are locally transmitted; 205 from Lilongwe, 130 from Blantyre, 55 from Mzimba North, 16 from Salima, 10 from Zomba, eight from Mzimba South, seven from Rumphi, four from Neno, three each from Dowa, Nkhata Bay and Thyolo, two each from Balaka, Mangochi, Mchinji, and Nkhotakota, and one each from Dedza, Karonga, Machinga, Mulanje, Mwanza and Phalombe districts. 17 of the new cases are imported; 12 identified at Mwanza border and their destination districts are still under investigation, three from Lilongwe, and two from Machinga districts. The new death is from Blantyre and was not vaccinated. Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 63,408 cases including 2,311 deaths (Case Fatality Rate is at 3.64%). Of these cases, 2,759 are imported infections and 60,649 are locally transmitted. Cumulatively, 59,040 cases have now recovered (recovery rate of 93.11%) and 232 were lost to follow-up. This brings the total number of active cases to 1,825. In the past 24 hours, there were two new admissions and six new discharges in the treatment units. Currently, 12 active cases are currently hospitalised; four from Blantyre, three in Lilongwe, two in Mzimba North, and one each in Zomba and Phalombe districts. The new admissions are not vaccinated. On testing, in the past 24 hours, 1,773 COVID-19 tests were conducted. Of these, 1,040 tests were through SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic test while the rest were through RT-PCR test. The positive cases out of the total number tested (past 24 hours) translates to a positivity rate of 26.79% and the weekly positivity rate (seven days moving average) is at 15.2%. Cumulatively, 456,392 tests have been conducted in the country so far. On COVID-19 vaccination, a total of 1,600,509 vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far. Cumulatively 956,800 and 359,868 people have received the first dose and second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine respectively whilst 283,841 have received Johnson and Johnson. Over the past 24 hours, 10,109 and 2,913 people have received first dose and second of AstraZeneca vaccine respectively. Cumulatively, 643,709 people are fully vaccinated. Let me now inform fellow Malawians that due to the progressive increase of cases observed in the country, the Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus, in collaboration with the Emergency Operation Centre on COVID-19 (EOC) has now indicated that the country is now in Level 2 of the pandemic. This calls for stepping up the recommended preventive measures including use of face masks in open places, observance of social distance, frequent washing of hands and use of sanitizers. And as we are going into the Christmas festive season where different groups gather to share some quality moments, the Presidential Task Force has also revised guidelines for public gatherings as follows: All religious, recreational and wedding gatherings should not exceed 100 people indoors, and 250 people outdoors subject to the social distancing requirements of at least one meter between persons. For sporting activities, the maximum number of 100 or 250 people indoors and outdoors respectively should include players, officiating personnel, officials of participating teams and spectators whilst observing COVID-19 preventive measures. All bars and entertainment centres should close by 10pm. Night vigils for funerals are not permitted, and indoor attendance should not exceed ten persons at a time. Political party meetings are allowed subject to observing the 100 or 250 people rule whilst indoors or outdoors respectively. Mobile markets should be held once a week Please take note that where necessary, an enforcement officer may order a gathering to disperse and may use reasonable force to cause the gathering to disperse. May I call upon all Malawians to adhere to the guidelines on public gatherings to reduce and stop the current rapid transmission of the virus within our communities. No one is safe until everyone else is safe. Get Fully Vaccinated! Wear Face Mask! Protect yourself. Protect your loved ones. Protect everyone. Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, MP MINISTER OF HEALTH CO-CHAIRPERSON – PRESDENTIAL TASKFORCE

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Press Release

07 December 2021

Malawi marks 2021 International Volunteer Day with first country launch of the fourth United Nations State of the World’s Volunteerism Report

Lilongwe: The fourth State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (SWVR) ‘Building equal and inclusive societies’ presents new evidence on volunteer–state partnerships. The flagship Report of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme was launched in Malawi today to mark the International Volunteer Day. This was the first country-level launch of the Report following a global launch at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York on 2 December 2021. The Report reveals that cooperation between volunteers and governments helps build collaborative decision-making. Increasing inequalities worldwide call for a new type of social contract with a renewed emphasis on inclusion. It is time for a global reset. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has spelled out the need for a New Social Contract that creates equal opportunities and respect the rights and freedoms of all.1 Every seventh person in the world is a volunteer. Despite the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, global interest in volunteering has not waned, and volunteering in communities has endured despite limited mobility and resources. While restrictions have prevented many people from volunteering in person, many have switched to volunteering online. The Report draws on case study research from several countries, including Malawi, and concludes that, the monthly number of volunteers aged 15 years and older amounts to over 850 million worldwide. And the average monthly volunteer rate – defined as the share of working-age persons (15 years or older) that volunteer in a month – amounts to almost 15%. “In Malawi, the ArtGlo initiative, showcased in the Report, illustrates how young people living with HIV collaborate with state authorities and use art to sensitize public officials to the health issues they are facing. In so doing, youth volunteers help shape health priorities. By serving as mediators between communities and state authorities, they act as bridge-builders,” said Kyoko Yokosuka, UNV Deputy Executive Coordinator while launching the Report. This research comes at a crucial moment as countries start to build forward from the pandemic and institutions need to engage volunteers as key partners. “We do dramas and songs which helps people from our communities understand the dangers of violence,” a young volunteer from ArtGlo initiative in Malawi said in the Report. The Report identifies three models to highlight volunteer-state relationships – deliberative governance, co-production of services and social innovation – and offers policy recommendations. Decision makers are encouraged to: Promote volunteering beyond service delivery to include social innovation and inclusiveness. Strengthen public social recognition of volunteers especially as they are not financially rewarded. Create space where both volunteers and state authorities can share their experiences and establish common ground. Invest in measurement and data on volunteers and support research on volunteerism. -------------------------------------------------- Notes to Editors: For more information and to schedule interviews please contact: Madalitso Mbendera, UNDP Malawi madalitso.mbendera@undp.org For the full Report and other resources go to: https://www.unv.org/swvr/resources About the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tacking development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 1 https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/tackling-inequality-new-social-contract-new-era

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