UK Aid and UNDP support production of household water purification containers in Malawi
About 20,000 households to will access clean and safe drinking water through an innovative Household Water Treatment and Storage product that’s being produced by Arkay Plastics Limited and SAFI with financial support from UK AID and UNDP through the Malawi Innovation Challenge Fund (MICF).
The product, which was launched earlier this week in Blantyre, can be found in leading shops and from approved agents countrywide.
MICF supports private sector to contribute to poverty reduction and human development through job creation and improvement of the livelihood of beneficiaries through the implementation of successful inclusive business models.
Head of DFID to Malawi, Jen Marshall, said UK Aid is pleased to see a product being manufactured for the first time in Malawi that has the potential to provide a simple, yet effective household solution to the challenges of poor quality drinking water that affects many parts of the country.
“Many Malawian households do not treat their drinking water adequately and are therefore unable to avoid infections that come with unsafe drinking water. This innovation is creating over 50 new jobs at the processing plant, as well as creating a strong social impact through reduced exposure to water related diseases.
“In addition, Arkay and SAFI have committed to gender inclusiveness by involving female entrepreneurs in their marketing and sales programme,” said Marshall.
This is the second MICF-supported intervention DFID and UNDP are jointly launching in southern Malawi in just over 90 days. On 22 May 2017, a Green Tea Processing Plant and Packaging Facility was inaugurated in Thyolo district to manufacture euro stacking containers.
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