UK boosts WFP efforts to break the cycle of hunger in Malawi

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2018-07-16

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes two generous contributions totalling £9.1 million (USD 12 million) from the United Kingdom government to support WFP operations in Malawi.

Of this amount, £2.3 million will provide nutritional supplies for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition among 87,000 people including children, and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, between June 2018 and March 2019.

The remaining £6.8 million will help WFP to provide support to 31,000 households under its Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) programme. The funds will also allow for the scale-up of resilience-building interventions such as weather-indexed micro-insurance, village-based savings and loans activities, and climate services.

“We are grateful to the UK for its steadfast support of our efforts to promote food and nutrition security in Malawi,” says Benoit Thiry, WFP Malawi Country Director. “This contribution comes at a critical time. The UK is a major partner which always stands with those in need of critical assistance.”

The UK is one of the largest donors to WFP in Malawi, having contributed £24 million (USD 31.7 million) since 2016 towards breaking the cycle of hunger. WFP is supporting the Government of Malawi through a range of programmes, including emergency food and cash-based transfers, nutritional support and resilience-building.

“Long-term investments are essential to addressing food and nutrition insecurity in Malawi and building the resilience of the economy and its people to weather-related shocks”, says Chris Austin, acting Country Director for the Department for International Development (DFID) in Malawi. “These efforts will help the country to achieve its potential and empower women, men and children to find sustainable solutions to hunger and enjoy a brighter future.”

The funding will support a multi-sectoral approach to addressing malnutrition and building resilience. To ensure the long-term impact and sustainability of the programme, WFP is placing a significant focus on strengthening the capabilities of government, communities and families to withstand and recover from shocks.

Source:World Food Programme

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