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    Concern staff member Timothy Kampira advises two farmers in Phalombe, Malawi. Photo: Chris Gagnon/Concern Worldwide

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        Home/News/

        Crisis in Malawi: your two-minute guide

        Fatima Guwira was helped by Concern after losing all of her crops to the floods that devastated Nsanje District, Malawi, in January 2015. Credit: Concern Worldwide
        Fatima Guwira was helped by Concern after losing all of her crops to the floods that devastated Nsanje District, Malawi, in January 2015. Credit: Concern Worldwide
        News19 April 2016

        Drought and crop failure have sparked a national emergency. Find out what that means for the people of Malawi – and how Concern is helping.

        The crisis in Malawi

        • This month the government of Malawi declared a national emergency, caused by ongoing drought and the worst crop failure in a generation. Almost four million people need help getting enough food to survive.
        • The crisis has been made worse by recent flooding and by El Nino, a weather phenomenon linked to climate change.
        • Maize is the staple crop in Malawi. Last year’s harvest was 30 per cent below the five-year average, and this year’s harvest is even smaller.
        • As supplies dry up, the price of food has rocketed. Maize prices in February were 155 per cent above the national five-year average. This year inflation in Malawi is expected to reach 22 per cent.
        • Malawi already has one of the highest rates of stunting – child underdevelopment caused by malnutrition – in the world.

        How we are helping in Malawi

        • We’ve joined with other organisations to help 150,000 people caught up in the crisis.
        • This help includes immediate cash grants so families can buy essential supplies, as well as seeds to replant their crops.
        • We are also helping malnourished children get emergency medical care.

        More from Malawi

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        Recently married Patrick Ghembo of Monyo Village, Malawi, standing in his field, destroyed by the floods. Patrick is a farmer of maize and rice. He and his wife must rely solely on fishing until he can plant again. They will stay at the displacement camp until the floods have fully subsided. Photo: Gavin Douglas
        News
        13 September 2019

        Cyclone Idai: where we are six months on

        On March 15 2019, Cyclone Idai swept through Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, killing more than 961 people and leaving almost three million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Since then, we have been responding. 
        Patrick Ghembo stands with his crops that were destroyed by Cyclone Idai. Photo: Gavin Douglas/ Concern Worldwide.
        News
        18 July 2019

        Cyclone Idai and the impact of climate change on agriculture

        Agriculture is the largest economic activity in Malawi, but in March, Cyclone Idai ripped through Malawi in south eastern Africa, affecting over 840,000 people and destroying crops, land and livelihoods. 
        Esparanza Maria, a 25-year-old day worker from Nhamatanda, helps load boxes containing essential household supplies from a warehouse to a truck. The items will be distributed the next day in the village of Ndeja. "It makes me feel good to be able to help
        News
        23 April 2019

        Why we are shifting the focus of our response to Cyclone Idai

        The immediate focus of the international community is on relief and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai; but we will have to pivot swiftly to rehabilitation, long-term recovery and building people’s resilience to future shocks.
        Apoline Niyosenge is taught how to wash her hands properly by Concern community worker Abel Bamwisho, DRC. Photo: Pamela Tulizo

        Help those in need across the world

        • Our mission is to permanently transform the lives of people living in extreme poverty.

        • When an emergency strikes we are among the first on the ground.

        • We go to the ends of earth to deliver aid where it's needed most.

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