HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN MALAWI

Malawi's staple food is maize but like other countries in Southern Africa, Malawi has repeatedly been affected by famines since 2002, when food was scarce for almost one third of the population. In 2003, 30 percent of the population were affected.

These repeated famines are caused by different factors including:

* widespread monocultures
* poor distribution of fertilizers
* droughts
* government corruption
* widespread AIDS epidemic
* bilharzia
* malaria

Some relief organisations, such as the Community of Sant'Egidio, Catholic Relief Services and other local and international organisations try to respond to the famine by distributing food parcels. The government also had a starter pack farm input programme for maize seed and fertilizer. The scheme was however subject to gross abuses and sometimes the poorest people did not receive any of the items that were purportedly earmarked for them. This programme was discontinued by the Bingu Wa Muntharika administration, which instead subsidised fertilizer for the local subsistence farmers. The government of Taiwan has also donated millions of bags of rice each year and has a permanent agricultural and medical technical aid mission in Malawi.

Malawi humanitarian situation report, 30 May 2006

In the period 23-28 April 2006 the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) conducted its annual field assessments in the Districts of Nsanje, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Kasungu, Mzimba, Dowa, Ntchisi, Salima, Mangochi, Phalombe, Zomba, Rumphi, and Karonga. Initially, the MVAC planned to present their findings to decision makers and donors in the second week of May 2006, but due to floods in the Nkhata Bay area at the time of the field assessments the MVAC team had to postpone the assessment in the district until the area became accessible. The MVAC will meet this week to review the findings from Nkhata Bay and other locations with a view to determining this year’s total missing food entitlements. With support from UNICEF and Bunda College (University of Malawi), Ministry of Health conducted a separate nutrition assessment parallel to the MVAC assessment in four livelihood zones in Kasungu-Lilongwe plain, Western Mzimba, Mzimba self-sufficient and Lake Chilwa-Phalombe plain. The results of the nutrition assessment, which focussed on anthropometric indicators, care practices, livelihoods, wealth, morbidity and mortality indicators, will be integrated into the final MVAC report, which is scheduled for release in June.

The market demand for maize has been decreasing in the last month, as households have begun harvesting their maize. In the Southern Region maize prices now fall in the range of 15-19 MK/kg. The food security situation in the Northern region has also improved significantly, although maize prices are reported at higher levels averaging MK 22/kg.
The admissions of severely malnourished children under five to 48 Nutrition Rehabilitation Units (NRUs) is declining as the food security situation improves. In April, 986 admissions were registered compared to 1,530 admissions the previous month (a 35 percent decrease). However, admission figures are still high compared to same time last year in April 2005, where admissions reached 705.

Humanitarian response to food security crisis

The targeted food distribution for the 2005/2006 food security crisis is now close to completion. This week the final food distributions will take place in Chitipa district. Some 43,000 people beneficiaries will receive a full ration of 50kg maize, 10kg pulses and 4 litres vegetable oil for the month of May.

The targeted food distribution for the 2005/2006 food security crisis is now close to completion. This week the final food distributions will take place in Chitipa district. Some 43,000 people beneficiaries will receive a full ration of 50kg maize, 10kg pulses and 4 litres vegetable oil for the month of May.

Cholera
The cholera outbreak is continuing its downward trend since the Epi Curve peaked in mid-February. According to the Ministry of Health, a total number of 58 cases of cholera and 1 death were reported in the week of 1-21 May 2006, which represent a significant decline compared to last reporting period. The cholera cases are distributed across the districts as follows: Nsanje (27), Machinga (13), Lilongwe (8), Chikwawa (8) and Mangochi (2).

The total number of reported cholera cases since October 17, 2005 now stands at 4,717 and 58 deaths with an overall case fatality rate of 1.2% (which is higher than the recommended fatality rate by World Health Organisation (WHO) of less than 1 percent). Altogether 19 districts have been affected by Cholera this year with Blantyre being the worst hit at a total of 1,266 cases, followed by 792 cases from Mangochi.

UNICEF continues to monitor and provide support to the District Health Office (DHO) in responding to the many outbreaks of cholera in Nsanje (39 cases were reported for the period 17-30 April and another 27 cases were reported between 1-21 May). Temporary treatment centres in the affected villages have been established and social mobilisation campaigns in order to contain and avoid further outbreaks are ongoing. Chlorine has been dispatched to the district and chlorination of water sources continues in those areas/villages where cholera cases are reported from. While social mobilisation campaigns including hygiene education in general no longer take place effective from beginning of May, water quality testing will continue in all districts as an ongoing activity to identify communities that require immediate water chlorination.
Cholera post-mortem meetings have begun in Dowa district with more than 35 villages covered already. These meetings are conducted to review current situation against necessary actions to be undertaken in preparedness for next year’s cholera season. They will continue over the coming months and will be extended to include all villages in all districts that have been affected by cholera this year.

UNICEF is also working with the District Assembly in Blantyre in an attempt to find long term solutions to the water contamination problems (nearly 27 percent of all cholera outbreaks has been reported from Blantyre). Over the weeks, in particular damaged water pipes have been identified near refuse places. UNICEF is plans to hold talks with Blantyre Water Board on possible assistance to repair of water pipes.

Avian Influenza

With outbreaks of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) confirmed in Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Burkina Faso and latest in Djiboutie, the virus is now well established in the African Region. So far, Egypt is the only African country to report on human infections and deaths (5) as a result of the H5N1 virus. As the virus has started to spread across the African continent, Malawi has become more exposed and vulnerable to a possible pandemic.

The Government of Malawi with technical support from WHO and FAO has prepared an Avian Influenza Emergency Preparedness Plan and a 1-year Implementation Plan. The plans focus on animal health, wild life, and human health and include the following activities:

1) Risk assessment
2) Disease surveillance and investigation
3) Public awareness campaigns
4) Procurement of pharmaceuticals and equipment
5) Strengthening of local technical capacity

Presently, the Plan is under resourced, which is a concern as early detection and rapid containment of the virus is critical. With the already high levels of vulnerability in Malawi and the limited capacity to handle a pandemic, an Avian/Human Influenza outbreak could have serious humanitarian implications for the country.
An estimated MK 70,000,000 is required to undertake priority activities identified in the National Preparedness Plan. To date, USAID through FAO has contributed US$100,000 towards the Plan, while Taiwan has donated Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and MK 1 Million. FAO has intimated that it can support the Plan by providing US$60,000 for preparedness activities.

A national communication and social mobilization campaign to raise public awareness on Avian Flu has been developed by Government through the Ministry of Information and other relevant line ministries supported by UNICEF. The National Communication Plan (NCP) was finalised in January 2006, however, due to financial constraints and late commitment of funds from donors, no activities have been implemented to date (approximately US$ 800,000 is required to implement the NCP). UNICEF has so far donated MK 1.6 million for development of the national communication strategies.

On 18 April, Population Services International (PSI) hosted a meeting aimed at bringing together key government, UN, and NGO stakeholders to develop key messages and select the best media channels for an Avian Influenza Awareness campaign. With funds from USAID, PSI has expressed willingness to support the implementation of the National Communication Plan by further refining and pre-testing Avian Flu messages. UNICEF will subsequently use these messages as part of the nationwide awareness campaigns that will be conducted through Television and Radio programmes as well as through production of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials. As part of the awareness campaigns, Save the Children US has pledged to support community mobilisation through training of community leaders. The nationwide public awareness campaign, which is expected to take place over a period of three months, has been scheduled to begin around September.

Source: UNICEF / UN

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Madonna’s involvement with Raising Malawi began indirectly through her series of children’s books. The impetus to write these books (such as The English Roses and Mr. Peabody’s Apples) came from her desire to communicate practical, spiritual wisdom in a way that would help kids make smarter choices in their lives.

This successful endeavor led her to join forces with an organization with the same goal of empowerment, called Spirituality for Kids (SFK). SFK is a unique educational program for children and families from at-risk communities that teaches them how to overcome the challenges of poverty, violence, drug abuse, and a host of other social ills.

Madonna has now worked with SFK for many years, promoting and supporting its programs to children and parents all around the globe. With Raising Malawi, she is taking it to the next level by bringing this life-saving wisdom to kids in areas of the world that would never find it on their own.

She is spearheading the construction of The Raising Malawi – Consol Homes Orphan Care Center, a place where children can come to eat, learn, read, and play in a safe, nurturing environment. This will also be where the children will be taught the principles of an SFK-based curriculum that is being co-created with local Malawian teachers to address the specific challenges in Africa.

Madonna’s universal appeal touches children of all backgrounds everywhere in the world. Raising Malawi is delighted and honored to have Madonna working on this vital and historic initiative.