Malawi Secures Massive Deal For Ultra-Poor Household Packages

By Joseph Dumbula

Malawi has landed a worthwhile US$42 million (over 50 billion Malawi Kwacha) support from GiveDirectly, a non-profit organisation operating in Africa to assist at least a million ultra-poor people through the Social Cash Transfer Programme.

This has been announced by President Lazarus Chakwera who is in the United States of America for the 78th United Nations General Assembly.

Chakwera posted on Facebook: “I am delighted to inform you fellow Malawians that our national social cash transfer initiative has received a huge boost of US$42 million (over 50 billion Malawi Kwacha) from GiveDirectly, a US-based non-profit organisation,” said Chakwera.

According to Chakwera, GiveDirectly President, Right Honourable Rory Stewart, has told him that the organisation is doubling efforts to finalise the design of a US$300 million (Malawi Kwacha 300 billion) wealth creation project that will cumulatively benefit 1 million people from the initial 460,000 adults who will receive lumpsum amounts of close to US$550 (about Malawi Kwacha 600,000).’’

The Malawi leader later thanked GiveDirectly, stressing that the financial injection was a substantial boost, especially at a time when Malawi was grappling with the unprecedented aftermath of Cyclone Freddy.

He said: “My administration is deeply grateful to you for your contribution, and GiveDirectly can count on my personal support for its work in Malawi. Our country suffered unprecedented devastation from Tropical Cyclone Freddy in March 2023. The aftermath of the cyclone has led to many challenges, including a greater risk of malnutrition in Southern Malawi, especially affecting vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.”

GiveDirectly, as part of the Step Wealth Creation Project, continues to provide social cash transfers in Malawi.

The efforts are currently benefiting a total of one million people across regions, including Karonga, Chitipa, Mchinji, Kasungu, Dowa, Lilongwe, Machinga, Chikwawa, and Nsanje districts.