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Lake Malawi REFRESH Project

Lake Malawi Waters Undergo REFRESH Project Initiatives Malawi is a landlocked country that borders Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia. It is also one of the poorest countries in the world with a population of 20.4 million and 70% living beneath the international poverty line. The nation relies on Lake Malawi and the support provided by the REFRESH project.

Lake Malawi is integral to the social, economic and environmental well-being of Malawi and its people. It proves to be an indispensable part of the country’s infrastructure, covering a total area of 22,490 square kilometers, employing more than 500,000 people and contributing 4% to the nation’s GDP.

The Lifeline of Malawi: Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi, Africa’s third-largest lake, is crucial for Malawi’s economy and ecology. As a landlocked country, local communities depend on the lake for drinking water, transportation, leisure, power generation, irrigation and notably, fishing.

The lake’s fish significantly contributes to the country’s nutrition and economy, supplying 70% of the animal protein intake. It supports the livelihoods of Malawi’s residents through both local consumption and exports to neighboring countries, making it a crucial economic resource.

Lake Malawi also serves as a vital trade route, facilitating the transportation of goods to neighboring countries. The trade activity positions Lake Malawi as a hub for expansive business networks, essential for the mass production and distribution of natural goods, benefiting not only Malawi but also its neighboring communities through robust trade partnerships.

Residents in the area benefit from job opportunities created by the businesses managing these goods, reinforcing a cycle of employment and food security. Lake Malawi’s wealth of natural resources not only sustains jobs but also underpins food security, laying a strong foundation for the local economy and community wellbeing. Its tributaries hold the key to renewable energy through hydroelectric power generation, diversifying the country’s energy sources. This sustainable energy supports the nation’s industries, homes and various sectors, further stabilizing the country’s economic and environmental landscape.  

Malawi Takes Advantage

Lake Malawi supports the livelihoods of 20.4 million Malawians, surrounding communities and more than 910,000 refugees from Mozambique. With a population growth rate of 3.3%, the lake’s resources are under strain and require restoration. While Lake Malawi is vital for the economy and job creation, Malawi’s low GDP per capita of $554.20 challenges the local population’s ability to sustain and enhance these benefits.

In addition, nationwide poverty significantly challenges individuals in making decisions crucial for the long-term sustainability of natural resources. This difficulty arises from their urgent short-term needs. In addition to the impact on local communities, large-scale commercial fishing operations also contribute to overfishing in Malawi.

Moreover, local reliance on Lake Malawi for sustenance has led individuals to fish in shallow areas, away from large commercial operations. In addition, this practice threatens fish breeding grounds as small-scale fishermen navigate these regions in canoes designed for shallow waters. The impact of these activities presents significant economic and environmental challenges for Malawi and neighboring countries relying on the lake’s resources.

REFRESH Project

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) REFRESH project, aimed at enhancing Lake Malawi’s fisheries management and conserving fish biodiversity, spans from October 2019 to September 2024. Recently, USAID provided the Malawian government with an advanced electronic catch assessment survey (eCAS) system and refurbished patrol boats, significantly boosting data collection and surveillance efforts.

The electronic catch system compromises smart tablets, desktop computers and servers which allows them to have an accurate analysis of catch data. This high technology gives Malawi the advantage of being able to estimate fisheries production and evaluate the sector’s economic and food security contributions. 

Additionally, USAID recently upgraded patrol boats for the Salima District Council with new engines to strengthen surveillance against overfishing, promoting adherence to fishing regulations and local laws. This effort aims to preserve the lake’s biodiversity. However, residents of fishing villages, who have depended on Lake Malawi for their livelihoods, sometimes struggle to see these restrictions as measures to sustain the lake’s benefits rather than to limit their use.

Furthermore, regular monitoring of Lake Malawi allows for the identification and education of those overfishing, aligning them with the goals of the REFRESH Project for the lake’s restoration. These efforts, supported by USAID through the provision of operational guidelines and scientific equipment, highlight a deep commitment to sustainable fishing practices and the protection of Malawi’s aquatic ecosystem.

Nurturing Sustainability

The USAID REFRESH project is pivotal for sustainable development in Malawi, particularly for Lake Malawi. It focuses on improving fisheries management, enhancing scientific knowledge and strengthening governance. Its approach not only preserves the lake’s natural environment but also supports the economic well-being of the people who depend on its resources.

The REFRESH project is actively engaging local stakeholders and promoting an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. This strategy is designed to ensure a brighter, more sustainable future, harmonizing the well-being of Malawi’s people with the sustainability of the iconic Lake Malawi.

– Tristen Jerkins

Tristen is based in Tampa, FL, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project

Photo: Flickr

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How Netflix is Addressing Famine in Malawi

The Influence of Media: How Netflix is Addressing Famine in MalawiMalawi, a country in East Africa, has faced eight droughts in the past 36 years, impacting more than 24 million people. In today’s digital era, film and media significantly influence public awareness. The Netflix film “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind,” sheds light on drought and famine in Malawi, illustrating the power of storytelling in highlighting critical environmental and societal issues.

The true story-based film “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” vividly captures the harsh realities of drought in Malawi, underlining the urgency of global intervention. It aligns with the World Bank’s “Malawi Drought Recovery and Resilience Project” which aims to mitigate and prevent the dire consequences of drought. It also showcases the critical role of such initiatives in addressing environmental crises.

Depiction of Drought in the Film

The film is set in Kasungu, a town in central Malawi, where the narrative focuses on William Kamkwamba and how drought impacts both his life and the lives of his neighbors. Water shortages, primarily caused by a lack of precipitation in Malawi, mean that crops cannot grow. This also means that crop production becomes unstable, resulting in widespread food scarcity.

Drought often escalates to famine, leading to widespread hunger, as depicted in “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.” The film shows the stark realities of drought in Malawi through scenes of parched earth, crop failures and distressed children. While dramatized for emotional impact, these portrayals accurately highlight the devastating effects of drought and famine on communities.

Drought and famine in Malawi not only lead to starvation but also have devastating economic effects. The scarcity of water results in poor agricultural conditions and the loss of livestock, stripping individuals of their main sources of income and livelihood. This cycle exacerbates the country’s poverty and hinders economic development.

The agriculture sector, crucial for the majority of Malawi’s rural population, suffers significantly from drought and famine. This scenario leads to a decrease in exportable resources, making generating income for the economy challenging. Consequently, poverty intensifies in rural areas where agriculture is a primary livelihood, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions to water scarcity and agricultural resilience.

Famine in Malawi: A Promising Future

Droughts in Malawi, often triggered by natural resource scarcity such as rain, present complex challenges for prevention and control. However, effective measures exist, as highlighted by the Malawi Drought Recovery and Resilience Project. This initiative showcases how technology and financial strategies can mitigate the country’s vulnerability to climate risks and disasters, providing a practical approach to bolstering resilience against drought in low-income nations.

In addition to preventative actions, supporting communities after drought’s severe consequences is crucial, as demonstrated by the World Bank’s economic aid initiative for Malawi, which includes a $104 million grant. This funding aids in providing food relief, restoring dry lands and introducing drought-resistant crops, offering direct assistance to Malawi’s affected communities.

Looking Ahead

“The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” serves as a poignant reminder of Malawi’s resilience in the face of environmental adversities, driving home the urgency for global and local action. With initiatives like the Malawi Drought Recovery and Resilience Project gaining momentum, there’s renewed hope for sustainable solutions to combat drought and enhance agricultural resilience. As awareness spreads through powerful storytelling and concerted efforts continue, the future for Malawi looks increasingly promising, with paths paved toward recovery, sustainability and economic stability.

– Amelie Bunce
Photo: Unsplash

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The KIND Fund in Malawi

 

The KIND Fund in MalawiAccording to the World Bank, Malawi is ranked as the fourth poorest country globally. Approximately 70% of the population lives on less than $3 a day and this income level has remained unchanged since 2010, despite a steadily increasing population. Moreover, at least 50% of households in Malawi lack adults with completed education. Education plays a crucial role in helping a country combat poverty in the long term. Malawi only implemented free public schooling in 1994, significantly improving children’s attendance rates. However, as of 2021, the country still faces one of the highest dropout rates in the world, estimated at 84% and the KIND fund has been fighting for children’s education in Malawi.

The KIND Fund

In a developing country like Malawi, children attend classes on the ground, similar to a pre-school. As the children grow older, this arrangement becomes less practical for an advanced learning environment. The children have to balance paper on their knees to write. Since soap is expensive in Malawi, kids skip school if they dislike being seen in dirty clothes after a week of sitting on the ground. This is particularly true for girls who prefer to miss several school days rather than spend all day on the dirty ground during their periods and having to jump up and down to answer questions.

The KIND Fund, short for Kids in Need of Desks, was created by MSNBC reporter Lawrence O’Donnell and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 2010 to provide desks to all ages of schoolchildren in Malawi. Since 2010, the program has raised $38 million to help kids get desks and school supplies. The provision of desks not only yields tangible benefits such as improved penmanship but also enhances the overall attitude of children towards school.

Scholarships for Girls

Desks are not the only focus of the KIND Fund. KIND also provides secondary scholarships for girls to move forward in their education. A scholarship package from them will fund a girl’s tuition, boarding, transport and school supplies fees and include everything from socks to mentorship at school. The program has provided scholarships to more than 27000 girls across Malawi.

Keeping girls in school, even until age 18, is a small win against child marriage, a serious problem in developing countries. About 47% of women are married before age 18 in Malawi. The KIND fund conducted interviews with girls, posing the question of what they would do without the scholarship. Fifteen-year-old Happiness Ndawu responded, “Here in Malawi, girls marry at early ages. So, at 15, maybe I would have been married by now.” Happiness aspires to become a journalist. Being in school has protected her from potential domestic violence, risky pregnancies and other challenges that child brides often encounter. It has also opened her eyes to the potential she possesses.

Conclusion

Education plays a crucial role in lifting a country out of poverty, serving as one of the most essential pathways for socioeconomic advancement. When people think about education, they often take things like furniture and supplies for granted, items that other countries lack. A well-made desk can last decades and serve dozens of children over generations.

– Varsha Pai
Photo: Flickr

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Organizations Empowering Women and Girls in Malawi

Women and Girls in MalawiWomen and girls in Malawi have many challenges to face. According to a study done by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), about 42% of Malawian girls can expect to be married before they turn 18, while 9% of those are married before they turn 15. These percentages are among the highest in the world. Also, according to The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), about 42% of school-aged girls drop out of school, with most citing education costs and pregnancy as their reason. Consequently, Less than 15% of women receive schooling beyond their primary years. Additionally, instances of gender-based violence are a prevalent issue in Malawi.

The conditions described have devastating effects on the lives of women and girls in Malawi. Many young girls in the country are not encouraged to pursue independence, resulting in them becoming women who are often dependent on the men in their lives. While these issues persist today, several organizations are working hard to provide women and girls in Malawi with the knowledge and opportunities they need to be successful.

Girls Empowerment Network (GENET)

The Girls Empowerment Network in Malawi, also known as GENET, was established in 2008. GENET focuses largely on inspiring young, school-aged girls to stay in school. The organization does this by urging community leaders to assist in funding scholarships and provide mentorship and friendly, safe spaces for girls to share their concerns. GENET also instills girls with digital, social and economic skills that help them become empowered and independent as they grow older.

More than 5,000 young girls in Malawi have completed their education thanks to scholarships provided by GENET. The network has also supported more than 2,500 survivors of gender-based violence by providing them access to legal and mental health services. Overall, GENET has impacted the lives of more than 100,000 girls in Malawi, many of whom were inspired to become leaders and mentors within their communities, thus multiplying the organization’s impact.

Fund a Girl

Yvonne Kamange founded Fund A Girl in 2018 to help underprivileged girls afford an education. The initiative has identified that families already living in poverty often resort to enrolling their children in school, which makes it more likely that those children will remain impoverished. To break this cycle, the organization collects donations from sponsors to fund the education of numerous Malawian girls. These donations go towards buying school supplies, books, uniforms and tuition fees.

Along with funding young girls’ educations, Fund A Girl also offers mentorship, vocational training and sexual and reproductive education. These services are making a huge impact on the lives of underprivileged girls in Malawi.

The Sparkle Foundation

While supporting school-aged girls is crucial, empowering and supporting women is equally vital. The Sparkle Foundation is actively addressing this need through its organized women’s groups. These groups are designed to offer local women the chance to engage in recreational activities, fostering connections within the community. Additionally, the initiative imparts resourceful knowledge and skills to women through these groups. Overall, the Sparkle Foundation’s women’s group “fosters a sense of unity” while equipping “women with the knowledge, tools and resources to uplift themselves.”

Continuing Support

Women and girls in Malawi face many challenges throughout their lives. However, organizations such as the Girls Empowerment Network, Fund A Girl and the Sparkle Foundations continue to support and advocate for them. By doing so, these organizations are opening doors of opportunity for thousands of girls who would not have had such chances.

– Kimber Peters
Photo: Flickr

Combating HIV/AIDS in Malawi

combating HIVAIDS in MalawiAccording to UNAIDS, approximately 1 million people in Malawi were affected by HIV/AIDS in 2017, with a prevalence rate of 9.6% among individuals aged 15-49. Sex workers and gay men are particularly vulnerable, with HIV prevalence rates of 60% and 17% respectively. However, there has been progress in combating HIV/AIDS in Malawi and between 2010 and 2017, AIDS-related deaths decreased by about 50%.

Malawi aims to have 95% of people living with HIV aware of their status by 2025. Despite the reduction in AIDS-related deaths, the country still has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates among adults aged 15 to 49.

With 13 million people living below the poverty line out of a population of 21 million, STD-related health care is often unaffordable for those facing financial hardships. Moreover, disparities in health care resources contribute to the lack of a rapid HIV/AIDS response, with rural areas having limited access to treatment compared to urban areas.

Prioritizing Testing and Treatments

According to 2017 data, out of the 1 million individuals who live with HIV/AIDS in Malawi, 90% receive antiretroviral therapy. However, a 2020 study revealed that antiretroviral therapy failure and drug resistance are common among those undergoing HIV treatment.

A 2020 observational study led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of Malawi College of Medicine and the University of Cambridge found that antiretroviral therapy failure and drug resistance are common among those receiving HIV treatment.

Recent research published in the Lancet found more than 80% of patients have resistance to two or more HIV antiretroviral drugs and 95% of patients have undetectable HIV loads as of 2020. The study also revealed that patients with resistance to multiple HIV drugs were 70% more likely to experience a clinical death within two months of checking into the hospital compared to those without drug resistance.

With one-third of patients failing to receive therapy fast enough, timely diagnosis and switching patients to alternative antiretroviral therapies have contributed to better patient outcomes in Malawi.

Barriers to HIV/AIDS

Despite significant reductions in HIV infections, individuals living below the poverty line in Malawi continue to face the greatest impact. Malawi is one of the poorest countries across the globe.

As one of the poorest countries globally, Malawi’s higher HIV prevalence may be attributed to inconsistent detection rates stemming from differences in surveillance and registration centers. This marked difference may also be related to Socioeconomic factors, such as poverty and limited emphasis on screening programs and public health services such as the NHS, which contribute to health inequalities.

The unequal distribution of health care resources exacerbates the challenges in combating HIV/AIDS in Malawi. Urban areas, where individuals are more likely to afford private health care systems, have better access to resources compared to rural areas, resulting in lower treatment rates for the latter.

However, barriers to HIV-related health care extend beyond poverty and finances. Stigma and prejudice surrounding HIV deter individuals from seeking care and concerns about confidentiality at testing sites further discourage communities from accessing services.

Gay men in Malawi experience a disproportionate impact from HIV/AIDS. The Ministry of Health estimated that 35% of men in Malawi had not been tested for HIV/AIDS in 2017. Addressing this disparity requires additional support and funding for home testing initiatives.

Progression in Malawi

Awareness surrounding sexual health and faster screening techniques has improved the health of Malawians with HIV/AIDS over the last two decades. Antiretroviral therapy coverage has significantly increased, with an estimated 91% of those living with HIV receiving treatment in 2021 compared to only 43% in 2012.  There were 78,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2005 compared to 13,000 in 2020, a decline of around 83%. Overall, increased funding and implementation support has resulted in a marked improvement in HIV in Malawi from previous years.

Helping the Cause

While Malawi’s government has continued to provide treatments and support for HIV/AIDS, an organization founded in 1972 named Action Aid helps those from marginalized groups across rural and urban communities in Africa. Action Aid works alongside local communities, governments and institutions for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The organization advocates for improved access to HIV/AIDS-related health care, including antiretroviral drugs and good nutrition. Through partnerships with local communities, governments and institutions, Action Aid advocates for improved access to HIV/AIDS-related health care, including antiretroviral drugs and good nutrition. Collaborations with organizations like the Makerere Women’s Development Association (MWDA) and the Kuluhiro (Hope) support group ensure psychosocial therapy, counseling and access to antiretroviral treatments, as well as economic opportunities through farm projects.

What is Next?

An Oxford Academic report suggests that continued foreign aid is essential for widespread testing and comprehensive HIV/AIDS programs, as 99% of HIV funding comes from international financial support. Foreign aid plays a crucial role in sustaining and expanding efforts in combating HIV/AIDS in Malawi.

– Rupinder Kaur
Photo: Rawpixel

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6 Facts about Poverty in Malawi

Poverty in MalawiLocated in Africa’s Southern region, Malawi is a nation-state with a size comparable to that of the state of Pennsylvania and a population estimated to reach a little more than 20 million by July 2020. The country is primarily dependent on the agricultural sector which employs close to 80% of the population and remains predominantly rural. Poverty in Malawi is very high and it manifests itself in various indicators, such as in the economy, education and health care, rendering it one of Africa’s poorest nations. Here are six facts about poverty in Malawi.

6 Facts About Poverty in Malawi

  1. Throughout the past few decades, Malawi had made tangible progress in several areas of human development. For instance, primary education completion rates have increased by 17% between 2004 and 2013. Meanwhile, mortality rates for children under 5 decreased by approximately 48% between 2004 and 2015. Similarly, the country’s maternal health has improved as mothers are receiving necessary prenatal and birth care as well as increasingly using contraceptives.
  2. Despite the abovementioned improvements, Malawi continues to have high poverty rates, posing substantial challenges to human development and growth in the African nation’s quality of life. In 2017, its GDP per capita (PPP) amounted to only $1,200, leading it to rank among the poorest countries in the world.
  3. In 2016, Malawi’s poverty rate reached 51.5%. That number remained slightly unchanged at 52% in 2018, according to a 2018 integrated household report, which emerged as a result of a joint effort between the Malawian government and UNICEF. The report also highlights child poverty as a particularly problematic issue as more than two-thirds of children in rural areas in Malawi live in poverty.
  4. Higher poverty rates in a given society tend to go hand in hand with sizable challenges underpinning the state of the economy. Malawi’s dependence on agriculture implies that climate-related problems can be a serious threat to its national economic wellbeing. This was the case during the 2015 and 2016 drought, which negatively impacted the country’s economy. Alinafe Nhlane, a mother and farmer in Muona Village, exemplified another instance of Malawi’s economic volatility when she recounted that she had lost all of her crops as a result of the 2019 Cyclone Idai.
  5. In addition to the fact that an estimated 1 million Malawians are living with HIV/AIDS and that the degree of risk of infection with diseases such as hepatitis A, typhoid fever and malaria is very high, the physician/population ratio in the country is quite low at 0.02 in 2016. In light of the recent COVID-19 global developments, the U.N. Resident Coordinator in Malawi, Maria Jose Torres, expressed her fears that the spread of the virus, even if minuscule, could be destructive to the country’s feeble health care system.
  6. On the other hand, it is notable that UNICEF and U.K. Aid have worked to distribute hygiene and sanitation materials throughout Malawian districts to lead the fight against the virus. Ms. Nhlane also benefited from the $33 she received from the World Food Program (WFP), aid which she will use to feed her family.

Looking Ahead

Malawi indeed continues to face paramount challenges that threaten the very livelihood and wellbeing of its citizens. Nonetheless, it has improved in many aspects including child health. For progress to spread and increase in scope and magnitude, however, it remains critical for the efforts addressing poverty in Malawi to carry on.

– Oumaima Jaayfer
Photo: Flickr

Reducing Poverty in Malawi Through Irrigation

reduce poverty in Malawi
In 2016, about 51% of Malawians lived in poverty, an improvement from 65% in 1997. Still, with 76.9% of the population employed in the agriculture industry, frequent droughts and floods are major issues that devastate farmers and Malawi’s economy. Keep reading to learn how irrigation projects are working to reduce poverty in Malawi.

Flood Control and Irrigation Systems

Flood control and irrigation systems funnel floodwater into areas of storage for future use. One system is diversion canals, such as the Red River Floodway in Winnipeg, Canada. The diversion canal prevented 10s of billions of dollars in damage since 1968 and is the second-largest earthmoving project after the Panama Canal. Diversion canals are artificial floodways that send floodwater to ponds, rivers, reservoirs and irrigation systems. Most farmers do not relocate unlike the displacement that a dam causes to locals in the dam’s region. Although the Red River Pathway is a highly ornate design, a basic diversion canal helps indirectly reduce poverty in Malawi and benefits those that crop-damaging floodwaters affect.

The pathways direct flooded water away from homes and crops so that it flows into rivers, ponds and artificial lakes. The pathways directing floodwater that destroy homes and land are a long-term solution to floods and droughts. The downside to these pathways is the unknown cost of infrastructure necessary to accomplish this system as no one, including Malawi, has proposed or implemented major developments in the country.

Infrastructure Development

A prerequisite to water management is infrastructure development to provide stored water from floods to irrigation systems. Pipes allocate water to farmers, whether above or below ground and irrigation systems, such as surge flooding, bring a simple solution to irrigation for a country where only 9% have electricity. Surge flooding is a system of gradually releasing small amounts of water into the land. This allows for better infiltration and less runoff.

Malawi relies heavily on charities and countries for aid, and developmental progress has been slow. The country ranks as one of the least developed countries. Investment in the county’s infrastructure could reduce poverty in Malawi, help the economy grow and diversify into other areas besides agriculture, such as the energy, telecommunications, banking, manufacturing, information technology and tourism sectors. Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima has been Vice President of Malawi since 2014 and stated a need for change in not only investment in infrastructure development, but also many other areas that are undeveloped. He understood that half of all Malawians, particularly women in rural regions, are in extreme poverty and that an emphasis on development is the key to the country’s future success.

Climatic Effects on the Economy

Climatic changes frequently affect Malawi, though it receives support externally. Recently, the World Bank donated $70 million to Malawi to help it recover from Cyclone Idai, yet external aid is simply a short-term solution. Improving infrastructure to combat climatic changes, such as cyclones, floods and droughts, supports the people of Malawi that have crops that natural disasters easily damage. Floods and droughts destroy crops that more than 80% of Malawians rely on for food and a meager income. One solution to reduce the cycle of flood, drought and famine is through an intelligent design implementing irrigation and flood control across Malawi.

– Lucas Schmidt
Photo: Flickr

Top 10 Facts About Hunger in Malawi

Top 10 Facts About Hunger in Malawi
Malawi is a landlocked country in southern Africa with an increasing population. Malawi currently has a population of about 17.2 million people. One in four Malawians lives in extreme poverty such that about 2.8 million people in the country are fighting hunger. Here are the top 10 facts about hunger in Malawi.

Top 10 facts about hunger in Malawi

  1. A food crisis has lasted for decades – Malawi has been experiencing severe food crisis for decades. Around 1949 and 1950, Malawi had a severe famine, and in October of 2001, reports of a famine were once again spread in rural Malawi. The government did not believe the rumors and did not act on them until hunger struck in 2002. At that time, at least 500 people died of starvation and hunger-related diseases. By 2005, approximately 4.7 million Malawians, out of 12 million, still suffered from food shortages. More recently, from July 2016 until March 2017, Malawi had food security and nutrition issues due to El Niño, which led to the president declaring a state of national disaster.
  1. Unreliable weather patterns – Rural Malawians rely on smallholder farming for a living. By cultivating small pieces of land over and over, they expect to harvest enough to feed themselves and their families. Unfortunately, in the last decade, 25 percent of the country has experienced droughts more than seven times. The weather patterns have been unreliable and; as a result, farming has become increasingly difficult. The frequency in which drought and severe flooding occur has been steadily increasing and with such an unpredictable intensity that the farmers hardly have time to recover from the last disaster before they are faced with the next.
  1. Unstable economy – The economic conditions in Malawi are not very favorable. There are high inflation rates, which have resulted in high food prices. Unemployment is on the rise with little to no opportunity for work that pays any kind of living wage. Food prices in 2016 were on a rise countrywide due to a decrease in production. The price of maize was 73 percent higher than the average for the three years prior to that time. Farmers complained about the government not providing fertilizer around that time, but economist Desmond Phiri in Malawi remarked that fertilizer is of no use if there is no rainfall. His solution to the problem of a continuous dry season was irrigation.
  1. Stunting in children under five – Research shows that 37 percent of Malawian children, which is about 1.4 million, suffer from stunted growth because they are chronically under-nourished. World Food Programme (WFP) stated that only 1 out of every 3 children who are undernourished isn’t receiving adequate health care. The same study shows that there is a 30 percent increased risk of anemia in underweight children and that 23 percent of all child mortality cases are associated with under-nutrition. Stunting in children deters their brain development, school performance, immunity and health. Furthermore, there is an annual loss of $67 million due to the fact that 66 percent of the adults currently doing manual activities had been stunted as children,
  1. Malawi’s staple food wilting – Malawi’s staple food, maize, has been affected negatively by the unexpected weather trends and it is wilting. Unconfirmed estimates are that food production in the 2017/ 2018 growing season is going to be reduced by less than 50 percent. Since November 2017, the maize fields in 20 of the 28 rural districts were attacked by fall worms, which destroyed the crops of above 140 000 farming families. The worms have since moved to other African countries where they pose a threat to the maize grown there as well.
  1. Children’s education affected – Stunted growth in Malawi’s children results in them underperforming at school due to slower brain development. Studies by the WFP show that stunted children are more likely to drop out of school. They achieve about 1.5 fewer years of education and are more likely to repeat school. About 18 percent of all school year repetitions are due to the effects of stunted growth. The Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development have been carrying out a Cost of Hunger in Africa study. Findings have shown that adequate nutrition is essential for physical and intellectual development as well as work productivity. Productivity at school also requires a good diet, something most of the children in Malawi don’t have.
  1. Food reserves as a solution – The Malawi Project identified climate change as the main factor contributing to hunger in Malawi. Its solution was the introduction of food reserves under the name The Joseph Project. These reserves were noted to be important by world leaders at The Food and Agriculture Organization Summit. The Malawi Project completed the construction of community storage warehouses that are to be used during lean times. With the estimated food crisis that will probably hit Malawi in 2018/ 2019, The Joseph Project will be a sure way to provide food security to the community as the food will only be accessed when the need arises.
  1. Food from the outside – With 17.2 million people living in extreme poverty in Malawi and with the high levels of unemployment, there has been a great need for assistance with food security in the country. The WFP began working with the government of Malawi, together with other partners, to assist in alleviating the food security crisis. They work with the country’s most vulnerable people, which includes the refugees that have settled in Malawi from the areas around the horn of Africa. WFP, prompted by the sustainable development goals, seeks to achieve Zero Hunger by providing food and cash assistance after natural disasters such as the current drought. They have also made various long-term programs to help break the hunger cycle.
  1. Zero Hunger in schools – The WFP also supports Malawian education by providing meals every day to 900 primary and nursery schools, feeding approximately 1 million children. The meals are cooked fresh, and the food is bought off of the local smallholder farms in 10 percent of the schools to give the farmers business so they also have the cash to enable them to keep farming. The WFP also treats malnutrition of about 337,000 children, pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as HIV and TB patients.
  1. Weather insurance – Malawian farmers have begun buying insurance for their crops in the event of droughts. The United Nations’ WFP initiated a Rural Resilience Initiative where farmers can insure their crops against unforeseen natural occurrences through labor. The farmers provide 14 days of work within a two-month period where they create things like irrigation systems, which help when dry seasons happen upon them. An insurance payout of $400,000 will be distributed to more than 7000 families in May of this year to promote increased resilience to the impacts of climate change. Poor farmers without money to get insurance for their crops need not worry about where to borrow from as their labor is just as effective.

These top ten facts about hunger in Malawi tell a little about what Malawians are going through day after day. Although there is still a lot of progress that needs to be done in Malawi, there are people and organizations working to end hunger in the country and provide more stable farming practices throughout times of drought. These solutions could mean the eventual end of food insecurity in Malawi.

– Aquillina Ngowera
Photo: Flickr

Khalsa Aid: Clean Water Access in Malawi

Clean Water Access in Malawi
Founded in 1999, Khalsa Aid is a U.K.-based organization that has the aim to provide humanitarian aid in disaster areas and civil conflict zones around the world.

So far, its tireless efforts have included assisting victims of the Yemen Civil War and refugees landing on the shores of Greece from the Middle East, as well as extending support to the Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar. In a more recent relief project, this organization gave food to 8,000 people who were affected by the floods in Kerala and continues to provide aid to bring life back to normal.

In the recent years, this organization has also made a huge effort in providing clean water in Malawi.

Langar Aid

In 2015, through its long-term initiative Langar Aid, Khalsa Aid dedicated a team for its Malawi Project.

Though considered to be one of the smallest and least developed countries in the African continent, Malawi region is widely known to be the warm heart of Africa. In 2015, the region suffered a major setback from one of its worst floodings and according to the United Nations, close to a quarter of a million people remained displaced, facing disease and malnutrition. With total estimated damages of $50 million and 15 affected districts out of Malawi’s total 28, the Malawi government with the help of UNICEF launched series of relief programs. The aim was to rebuild infrastructure and provide clean water and life-saving food assistance to those affected.

In response to the flooding situation, Khalsa Aid’s humanitarian efforts in Malawi involved initial installation of water pumps in the rural region, and subsequently, the addition of many more water pumps.

In 2015, with the help of donations, the team of Langar Aid went on grounds of Malawi to access the situation and provide assistance to the local communities. After a detailed assessment and consultation, the team felt an urgent need to provide vital food supplies and clean drinking water in the region. A relief team from Khalsa Aid visited the region for an initial assessment and found that many people had no access to clean drinking water due to damaged infrastructure. The team noticed that many people of the country’s town Phalombe had to walk for miles or take a bicycle and carry the buckets of water themselves.

The Success of the Project

Through their interactions with local communities, government and contractors, the team of Khalsa Aid created a permanent water source in the region. The volunteers and team of specialists mobilized drilling resources and after hours of drilling, a suitable water well was found. A hand pump was included on a platform on top of the water well, making it convenient for locals to fetch the water from the well.

Additionally, the people of Malawi along with the village administrative authorities received orientation session and were given handouts explaining the usage and maintenance of installed water pumps. Khalsa Aid now plans on drilling more boreholes in the region of Phalombe to make clean water more accessible for local communities.

Through the project of Langar Aid, Khalsa Aid’s humanitarian efforts in Malawi included an extended support for an estimated 500 families over a month through the provision of “food drops”. These are packages of nutritious meals that contained an assortment of fresh food, vegetables and seasonings. The volunteer team of Langar Aid also installed eco-friendly clean water pumps.

Local government and organizations like WaterAid have also been working to ensure that communities in Malawi region have clean water, toilets and sanitation. Only one in three people in the Malawi region has access to clean water, that amounts to roughly 5.6 million.

A region where more than half the entire population awaits a decent toilet and where dirty water and poor toilets are a prime reason for deaths of 31,000 children in a year, noble initiatives like Khalsa Aid are getting much appreciation and extensive global support.

– Deena Zaidi
Photo: Flickr

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The Dire Situation of Child Nutrition and Healthcare in Malawi

healthcare in Malawi
According to the U.K. Business Insider, Malawi was ranked one of the poorest countries in the world in 2017. Malawi is located between Zambia and Tanzania in Africa and approximately 74 percent of its population lives in poverty. This level of poverty has a great impact on the healthcare in Malawi. There are less than 300 registered doctors and 7,000 nurses in the entire country.

The number one cause of death in Malawi is HIV/AIDS, while neonatal disorders rank number four and nutritional deficiencies rank number eight. The healthcare in Malawi suffers greatly from the lack of provided funding which causes a lack of supplies. Also, there is a considerable lack of training for healthcare professionals, a factor that results in an infant mortality rate of approximately 90 deaths for every 1,000 births.

The healthcare in Malawi, or lack thereof, has a major impact on nutritional status. It is estimated that 50 percent of malnutrition is directly related to HIV infection. Only 19 percent of children between the ages of six months and 23 months of age receive a proper diet in Malawi. This lack of nutrition causes extreme anemia, vitamin A deficiencies and other micronutrient deficiencies. These deficiencies cause stunting of the child’s growth which has negative impacts on their overall development. Only one out of every three children receive proper healthcare in Malawi to treat malnutrition.

Fortunately, there are programs that are trying to improve the overall healthcare in Malawi. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has been working with the healthcare system in Malawi since 2011. The CDC has provided scholarships for nurse-midwives and other professionals for training. The U.S. government has also partnered with the Malawi Ministry of Health (MOH) to incorporate training programs for healthcare professionals, improve surveillance systems, improve laboratories and implement prevention programs.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has acknowledged that half of Malawi’s children are stunted from malnutrition and that 23 percent of child deaths are associated with malnutrition. The WFP was organized to raise awareness all over the world for these children of Malawi. Also, in 2011, the Republic of Malawi launched SUN (Scaling Up Nutrition) which raises money for MOH to send to the local facilities. SUN is largely funded by the USAID and Irish Aid. The USAID has also funded the Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance III (FANTA III). This program provides nutrition assessment, counseling, support and HIV treatment programs.

The healthcare in Malawi is still struggling a great deal to provide proper care and improve the nutritional status of children. In 2003, Ripple Africa was created as a charity that focuses on improving healthcare in Malawi. Ripple Africa focuses on funding dispensaries and local clinics and hospitals. This charity relies on overseas volunteer doctors and nurses to provide much assistance. With these programs assisting the healthcare in Malawi, the system will hopefully continue to improve and save lives.

– Kristen Hibbett

Photo: Flickr