Skip to main content
Open searchOpen menuDonate
Open search
Open Our work
Open What we do
  • Livelihoods
  • Health and nutrition
  • Climate and environment
  • Education
  • Emergencies
  • Gender equality
  • Policy and advocacy
  • Campaigns
    • Open Where we work
  • View all countries
    • Open Research and reports
  • View all publications
    • Open Latest news
  • View all news
    • Open About us
    Open Who we are
  • What we stand for
  • Our history
  • Why partner with Concern?
    • Open How we raise money
  • Public donations
  • Institutions and Partnerships
  • Trusts and foundations
  • Corporate donations
  • Donations over £1,000
    • Open Transparency and accountability
  • How money is spent
  • Annual reports
  • How we are governed
  • Codes and policies
  • Supply chain
    • Open How to help
    Open Donate to Concern
  • Through to 2
  • Hunger crisis appeal
  • Donating by post and phone
  • Donations over £1,000
    • Open Partner with us
  • Corporate giving
  • Emergency support
    • Open Campaign with us
    Open Buy an alternative gift
    Open Other ways to give
  • Concern Philanthropic Circle
  • Donate in memory
  • Leave a gift in your will
  • Wedding favours
  • Trusts and foundations
  • Your donation and Gift Aid
    • Open Volunteer
  • Volunteer in Northern Ireland
  • Volunteer internationally
    • Open Events and challenges
  • Ration Challenge
  • FAST
  • London Marathon
  • Climb for Concern
  • Start your own fundraiser
  • Charity fundraising tips
    • Open Schools and youth
  • Debates
  • FAST Youth Ambassador
    • Open Knowledge Hub
    Open Knowledge Hub resources
  • Knowledge Matters Magazine
  • Global Hunger Index
  • Evaluation
  • Research
  • Learning Papers
    • Gifts
    Donate Monthly
    Latest news
    Jobs
    Concern staff member Timothy Kampira advises two farmers in Phalombe, Malawi. Photo: Chris Gagnon/Concern Worldwide

    Where we work

    Targeting the most vulnerable communities across 26 countries
    Where we work

  • What we do

  • Where we work

  • Research and reports

  • Latest news

    • Gatkuoth Matai, Concern Disaster and Risk Reduction Officer, travels with colleagues to visit a community that was surrounded by flood water near Bentiu in Unity State, South Sudan. Photo: Ed Ram/Concern Worldwide

    Our annual report

    Read about Concern's activities and achievements
    Read the report

  • Who we are

  • How we raise money

  • Transparency and accountability

    • Mother and grandmother Ernestine sells sugar and flour on the road. She began this business with the help of Concern in Manono, Tanganyika. Photo: Pamela Tulizo/ Panos Pictures

    Donate today

    Donate now to help us tackle hunger and transform lives
    Donate now

  • Donate to Concern

  • Partner with us

  • Campaign with us

    • Buy an alternative gift

      • Other ways to give

      • Volunteer

      • Events and challenges

      • Schools and youth

        • Knowledge Hub Logo

        Knowledge Hub

        Evidence-based learning, evaluations, research, guidance, manuals, tools and programme updates.

      • Knowledge Hub resources

        • Explore
        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

        1/3

        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.

        Donate now
        Share your concern
        Share