Ireland Provides K615 million for Malawi’s Flood Appeal
Press release
09 April 2019The Irish Government has directly allocated some MWK615 million (€750,000) in response to the recent flooding in Malawi.
Irish Ambassador to Malawi Gerry Cunningham said:
“I am delighted that through our NGO partners, all of whom are working closely with district officials, our funds have provided immediate relief to many of the affected families, while the cash transfers and planting materials will support them to take advantage wherever possible of the short opportunity available through winter cropping”.
Ireland has provided K287 million to Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, and Trocaire to provide shelter; water and sanitation; cash transfers; and in particular to support health and nutrition for women and children across some of the worst affected areas in Chikwawa, Nsanje, and Zomba
Ireland has also provided K328 million to Save the Children to support 5,500 households in Zomba to address immediate needs through cash transfers, but also to promote an early recovery wherever feasible by providing planting material for winter cropping.
Irish Aid’s country strategy focuses in particular on climate sensitive agricultural diversification, as well as building the resilience of Malawi to better plan and respond to disasters, including though the innovative use of cash transfers to protect the most vulnerable.
Ireland was already working with Ministry of Gender providing a monthly social cash transfer and a lean season top-up to 22,500 families in Balaka and Ntcheu. While in Neno, through Save the Children, Ireland has just provided K316 million (€386,000) to 4,000 households for cash transfers; orange flesh sweet potato vines; and also for fuel efficient cook-stoves to reduce deforestation.
The Ambassador said that:
“This additional K615 million builds on our ongoing annual support in agriculture and social protection to address the adverse effects of climate change and other shocks”.
This direct funding from the Irish Government complements Irelands ongoing support through multilateral and NGO channels including the UN Central Emergency Response Fund; European Union emergency funding; and the START network which provided an earlier rapid funding response to other NGOs including HelpAge and GOAL.
Ends
Notes to Editor
- According to the Government of Malawi’s Flood Response Plan and Appeal, some 86,980 people have been displaced by flooding following Cyclone Idai. The floods were responsible for 60 deaths and 672 injuries across the 15 Districts affected.
- The Government of Malawi launched an emergency appeal for $45.2 million with a current shortfall of $30.6 million.
- UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF): Ireland is one of the “top ten” donors to CERF since its inception in 2005. In 2019 Ireland is providing €10 million to CERF. At the start of March CERF provided $10 million towards the ongoing lean season response in Malawi and subsequently an additional $3.3 million from a regional allocation of $20 million following Cyclone Idai.
- European Union (EU): Ireland is a member state and contributor to the EU which has allocated €3.5 million to the region in an emergency aid package which included €1 million for Malawi. This is in addition to €250,000 in initial humanitarian assistance to the region.
- The Start Fund provides rapid financing to enable NGO’s to respond quickly to sudden crises. It is funded by the British, Irish, Dutch and Belgian governments and the European Union. In 2019 Ireland is providing €1.375 million to the START Fund which has already allocated some €445,000 (£412,911) to Malawi.
