UN appeals for $139.2 million to support Malawi Covid-19 response

The Humanitarian Country Team in Malawi  has launched an Emergency Appeal that brings together the United Nations and non-governmental organisation immediate response to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak in the country.

UN Resident Coordinator for Malawi, Ms. Maria Jose Torres Macho:US$139.2 million urgently needed to support immediate Covid-19 response in Malawi

The Appeal urgently seeks US$ 139.2 million emergency funding for UN agencies and NGOs to support Malawi Government’s preparedness and response efforts for the next six months from May to October 2020, targeting 7.5 million people.

This will complement the National Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plan launched on 8th April.

UN Resident Coordinator, Maria Jose Torres, says the appeal provides for targeted humanitarian assistance and protection to those most in need on top of supporting public health actions which are core to containing the spread of Covid-19.

“The UN and its partners recognize that the situation is evolving rapidly in Malawi, and those living under the poverty line, the most vulnerable and at-risk communities could be hit the hardest.

“The situation calls for urgent strengthening of the state of preparedness and response across the country, with a strong focus on the local level and the urban and peri-urban areas, to avert escalation of the Covid-19 spread and worsening of the pandemic’s socioeconomic effects on the people of Malawi,” she says.

Speaking on behalf of the NGO consortium, Save the Children Country Director, Kim Koch, said the needs in the Appeal aims to save lives and prevent loss of livelihoods.

“The Emergency Appeal emphasises on continued delivery of basic essential services and protection of livelihoods of the most vulnerable communities,” said Koch, adding: “The Appeal will ensure that access to essential health care, education and protection services is safeguarded.”

Principal Secretary and Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Wilson Moleni, said the continuity of humanitarian operations in the country will be critical to Malawi’s efforts to contain the pandemic and ensure better recovery.

“Malawi Government is working around the clock to ensure the virus is suppressed and that the most vulnerable people are protected,” said Moleni.

“The contributions of development partners and the humanitarian community have been prepared in a coordinated fashion with the national institutions to strengthen the capacity to end the Covid-19 crisis and handle its socioeconomic fallout.”

Apart from focusing on the public health response and ensuring access to life-saving services, the Emergency Appeal for Malawi seeks to limit the secondary impacts of Covid-19 by ensuring support to vulnerable groups through various means, such as safety nets for those who lose income due to the public health measures or are unable to access adequate food and water.

Part of the targeted people are vulnerable persons living with HIV/AIDS, persons with disabilities, persons with albinism, single-headed households, street connected children, the elderly, those living in extreme poverty, pregnant women, refugees and migrants along border routes.

The Appeal also prioritizes promotion of primary health care services, including sexual and reproductive health services and access to medical services for gender-based violence survivors.

Malawi has so far 41 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with three deaths and nine recoveries.  However two of the confirmed cases are Tanzanians nationals (a truck driver and his assistant). They were in the country to deliver essential goods from Tanzania where it is believed they contracted the virus. They are currently in quarantine in Blantyre

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Luchenza fan
Luchenza fan
4 years ago

This UN Coordinator should not be trusted. She helped Jane to steal from Malawians. She should be reported to her bosses. That money she is sourcing is not for Malawians she will take it back to Spain. Open your eyes Malawians. Malawi is not a poor country, it the mind of many Malawians that are poor such what APM has displayed. A good example of an educated salvage

nafundo zalo
nafundo zalo
4 years ago

botomani azazipange judo. humanitarian ya dpp not for malawians.
cisoni

Concerned citizen
4 years ago

You want USD139 million to be paying allowances and fuel to ministers for doing their job. Parliamentary committees getting allowances.

This allowance culture has to stop. Pay people a fair salary and scrap these allowances. Why should an employee be rewarded for working away from their duty station.

DAY LIGHT ROBBERY.

And it being led by ministers. SHAME and cry my beloved country.

Why such abuse?

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