Malawi

Malawi is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa. With a majority of livelihoods dependent on agriculture, Malawians are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate-related shocks and stresses. Most rural families experience poverty, with those headed by women suffering the most.

Relying on small parcels of densely cultivated land for their livelihoods, rural Malawians are highly affected by climate change. Episodes of drought as well as severe flooding are increasing in frequency, intensity and unpredictability, giving the most vulnerable households inadequate time to recover.

Malawi’s challenges are also compounded by high rates of HIV infection (at 9.6 percent), low primary school completion rate (at 51 percent) and chronic under-nutrition (at 37 percent for children under 5).  While the short-term impacts of COVID-19 on the economy of Malawi have not been as heavy as in other African countries, global restrictions in movements have affected trade and the tourism. Government containment measures have affected employment and income loss predominately for poor urban households. 

WFP Malawi is also emphasizing its transition from relief to resilience, addressing the root causes of food insecurity and scaling up its interventions with a focus on integrated resilience. WFP continues to partner with the Government, other UN agencies, NGOs, civil society and the private sector to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with a particular emphasis on reaching Zero Hunger (SDG 2), and aligning with Government’s strategies, particularly the Vision 2063.