Scottish govt release aid for Malawi humanitarian crisis, give thorough UNICEF

The Scottish Government has announced £150,000 to support the current humanitarian crisis caused by severe flooding in Malawi.

The Minister for Europe and International Development Humza Yousaf on Friday  met with the Scotland Malawi Partnership and pledged £30,000 for the organisation to support its members to deliver local aid to communities in Malawi. An additional £120,000 will be given to UNICEF in Malawi to assist their wider humanitarian efforts to support those affected.

President of Malawi Peter Mutharika has called the floods a ‘national tragedy that urgently needs both local and international response’.

International Development Minister Humza Yousaf  promised to ”do all we can to help.”

He said: “Our immediate concern is to protect those who are most at risk, but over half a million people could be feeling the effects of the floods due to damaged crops and infrastructure. The special relationship between Scotland and Malawi has seen Scottish people determined to offer assistance in whatever way they can to help alleviate this crisis.”

He said Scotland will continue to work with organisations on the ground to assess the longer term impacts of this crisis.

“We hear about the adversity so many people in Malawi encounter on a daily basis just trying to get an education, keep themselves healthy and stay safe. It is clear that we must do all that we can to help our friends in Malawi overcome the effects of these devastating floods,” he said.

David Hope-Jones, Principal Officer of the Scotland Malawi Partnership said funds from the Scottish Government will immediately be passed to meet urgent lifesaving needs in Malawian communities.

“Scotland stands alongside its friends and partners in Malawi in support and solidarity at this most challenging time. We welcome the fast and effective response from both the Scottish Government and the people of Scotland.”

Head of Unicef UK in Scotland, Lucinda Rivers, welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that they will provide £120,000 of funding for Unicef’s emergency response for Malawi.

“ This will greatly help our humanitarian work on the ground to assist children affected by the devastating floods. It will enable Unicef to continue to deliver supplies to affected areas including essential medicines, tents and tarpaulins, therapeutic food and milk for treating malnutrition, hygiene kits and education materials.”

Unicef is working round the clock to help children affected by the floods. Members of the public can donate to support this work at: http://www.unicef.org.uk/landing-pages/donate-malawi-floods/

The Scotland Malawi Partnership operates as an umbrella body for organisations and individuals operating in Malawi.

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