Malawi to benefit from new UK £119m aid package to combat threats of Covid-19, famine
Britain has announced that Malawi is among the eight countries that will benefit from a new UK £119 million (about K120 billion) aid package to combat the threat of coronavirus and famine.
This is contained in a statement by British High made available to Nyasa Times announcing UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) merger with the Foreign Office to create the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Apart from Malawi, other beneficiaries of the aid package, according to the statement includes Yemen, South Sudan, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.
“ Without international attention, many more will die from hunger and disease, and the pandemic will continue to spread in developing countries and to the wider world,” the statement noted.
Alongside the aid package, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has appointed former DfID cting Permanent Secretary, Nick Dyer, as UK’s first Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs to work in partnership with other donors, UN agencies, NGOs and foundations to help prevent catastrophic famine.
“Coronavirus and famine threaten millions in some of the world’s poorest countries, and give rise to direct problems that affect the UK, including terrorism and migration flows,” Raab says.
He said global Britain, as a force for good in the world, is leading by example and bringing the international community together to tackle these deadly threats.
“We can only tackle these global challenges by combining our diplomatic strength with our world-leading aid expertise.”
The UK is already leading the way in the international search to find a coronavirus vaccine and has committed to equitable access for all to a successful vaccine, treatments and tests. It is the largest donor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which is helping to make sure the poorest countries can access any Covid-19 vaccine.
In addition, the UK will continue to use its seat on the UN Security Council to call for life-saving humanitarian access for everyone who needs it and hold countries to account on their international legal obligations to allow aid workers to operate impartially in conflict zones.
Those of us who hate foreigners must know that this is British Tax Payers money. So they should start growing up and educate themselves. Also they should accept that since 1994 all our leaders staring from Muluzi, Bingu, Mama Corruption Joyce Banda, APM to present leaders have looted from us and led to Malawi being amongst the poor3st country in the world.
was Malawi rich before 1994?
Please allow me to educate you. From 1964 to 1994 under Kamuzu we had continued development. Donors and international banks had confidence in Malawi. If leaders since 1994 had not looted we would be a better country now, and yes richer.
Jasphet.sleepy man.which planet are u on. This is smokes screen and hot air. Are you not informed that the current British admininstration is all soundbites, u turns and big headlines.And to add the british ruled Malawi as colonialists. Apart from one rail line to move resources from the interior to the coast what other meaningful achievement did they deliver. Even Kamuzu their puppet used to boast that he found everyone bear foot wearing masanza when he pitched up in 1964. Who taught Malawians corruption. We need to change direction and not cerebrate this type of development. you want malawians to… Read more »
Truth hurts. And you Sir are a hurt man.
In fact the figures would tell us that the opposite of social distancing is a more effective intervention, if we are to consider the situation in our country.
Stop this begging culture 😠.
Where are the luxury cars which had the number plates COVID?
Begging for dollars and dimes won’t take us anywhere. Instead of these donor agreements which come with tough conditions, we need home grown solutions to the country’s poverty. Remember, this dead aid has tendency to make a country more poor and corrupt. People hate and kill one another fighting to be in charge of these western freebies.
No need. The curve has flattened.
Epidimologists, definitely though the cost in lives to Corona has been high, it has been nothing like what was predicted and the rate appears to have dropped, despite the gradual opening of the economy.
You have to speak and inform us on practically what the figures are telling us and then as a country let us make an informed decision.
We must develop our land, indeed safely.
GOD BLESS MALAWI.
The truth will be known once schools open