Malawi

Why are we in Malawi? Malawi is ranked 171 out of 188 in the Human Development Index. More than 50% of Malawians are living below the poverty line, of which an estimated 20% are living in extreme poverty. We work with the most vulnerable households in Malawi, supporting livelihoods, resilience to climate change, and promoting gender equality.

Over 80% of Malawians source their livelihoods from the land

Climatic shocks such as drought, flooding and strong weather patterns are a regular occurrence in Malawi. In March 2019, Cyclone Idai hit the country, directly affecting almost one million people, and killing 60. The country was already suffering from high rates of chronic malnutrition, with a stunting rate of 37.1% among children under five years. Malawi’s population has grown by 35% over the past ten years to 17.1 million, placing huge stress on land and crop production. With such rapid population growth, there is also an increase in fertility rates and high rates of teenage pregnancies.

Latest achievements

Emergency response

With the support of Irish Aid, we targeted Internally Displaced People (IDPs) living in makeshift camps and those accommodated by host communities in Nsanje district as part of our Cyclone Idai emergency response. Around 1,000 households were reached with non-food item (NFI) kits.

Graduation programme

Food and nutrition

Marita Kafera waters her kitchen garden, Malawi. Photo: Jennifer Nolan / Concern Worldwide.

Joseph Kanyangalazi with one of his pigs, Malawi. Photo: Jennifer Nolan / Concern Worldwide.

Workers load up trucks with supplies for the areas of the Nsanje Region worst affected by Cyclone Idai. Photo: Gavin Douglas / Concern Worldwide.

Supplies being loaded for the areas of the Nsanje Region worst affected by Cyclone Idai. Photo: Gavin Douglas / Concern Worldwide.

Belita Andrade brings her emergency supplies home after Cyclone Idai hit Malawi. Photo: Gavin Douglas / Concern Worldwide.

Children laughing and playing in Malawi. Photo Jennifer Nolan / Concern Worldwide.

Winnie Banda holds sweet potatoes, Malawi. Photo: Jennifer Nolan / Concern Worldwide.

Sisters Esther and Jane Nyirenda hold one of their goats. Photo: Jennifer Nolan / Concern Worldwide.

Donal Skehan programme visit

In November 2016, celebrity chef Donal Skehan traveled to Malawi to visit our programmes and see the work that we're doing to address malnutrition and hunger across the country. In addition, he saw how our Concern Christmas Gifts are helping to change lives too.

Part 1

Part 2

How we're helping Malawi

We are working hard to combat suffering and build resilience in Malawi. We are doing this by establishing programmes which will combat gender inequality, climate change and help improve livelihoods.

Graduation programme

Climate change

Gender equality

Latest from Malawi

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.

Press release3 April 2019

Concern Worldwide expands its Cyclone Idai emergency response to Mozambique

News2 April 2019

Cyclone Idai: Communities in Mozambique face worse days ahead

Farmer Malita (25) inspects what's left of her field after extensive flooding. The entire crop has been ruined just one month before harvest. Photo: Gavin Douglas/Concern Worldwide.

News

27 March 2019

Cyclone Idai: Fast action needed to combat the spread of water-borne diseases

Over 800,000 people have been affected by the flooding in the wake of Cyclone Idai in Malawi, with 59 dead and 672 injured. And as flood waters are starting to subside, it is a race against the clock.

Organisations who fund us

Irish Aid

European Union (EU)

European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO)

Department for International Development (DFID)

Comic Relief

World Food Programme (WFP)

Irish Aid

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Help those in need across the world

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