The Brits Through DFID Gives MK50 billion aid to Malawi

British Government through the Department for International Development (DFID) has committed K50 billion humanitarian aid to address food shortage in the country.

DFID Permanent Secretary Mark Lowcock disclosed this on Thursday during an audience with President Peter Mutharika at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.

Lowcock said the UK Government will continue to provide its both humanitarian and development support to the people of Malawi, as they embark on implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Taking his turn President Mutharika commended the UK Government for the continued humanitarian assistance to Malawi whenever disasters occur.

“I am particularly grateful that the United Kingdom has responded timely and expeditiously to my call for support, with relief support in the region of £24 million. Your assistance will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the 6.5 million people who have been affected by the El Nino-induced drought.

On our part, my government has allocated £38 million (US$50 million) in our 2016/2017 budget for the procurement of relief maize to cater for the affected population. However, we still have a resource gap of £150million (US$200 million) for the relief support requirement of 375,000 metric tonnes of maize. Government will continue with our ongoing efforts to mobilize further humanitarian assistance to address this unprecedented drought.”

President Mutharika further said Lowcock visit to Malawi was critically important as it will provide him with an opportunity to take stock on the implementation of the DFID funded programmes in Malawi.

“Her Majesty’s government has contributed immensely to Malawi’s journey towards the attainment of most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in this country. My government is in the process of localizing the SDGs, through the Malawi Growth Development Strategy (MGDS) III for 2016-2020, “he said.

He said it is also pleasing to learn that Her Majesty’s Government will continue to provide development assistance to the people of Malawi, despite the decision by the United Kingdom voters to withdraw from the European Union (BREXIT) on June 23, 2016.

“My government embarked on transforming the Malawi’s economy from a predominantly consuming and importing nation to a predominantly manufacturing and exporting nation. However, this exercise cannot be achieved overnight.
We will still need specific and targeted assistance from our development partners, including the United Kingdom, in advancing the trade and investment agenda.

In pursuit of this agenda, the Government of Malawi adopted the National Export Strategy, which is aimed at economic diversification, increased productivity and value addition, through agriculture and agro-processing, among others.

The United Kingdom remains one of the biggest and trusted bilateral development partners to Malawi. This partnership is manifested in the DFID Operational Plan for 2011-2016, which focuses on areas such as education, health, HIV/AIDS, water sanitation, governance, security, climate change and credit support facilities.