Malawi

Malawi is a small, landlocked country in Southern Africa, ranking 169th out of 191 countries on the 2021 Human Development Index. With a majority of livelihoods dependent on agriculture, Malawians are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate-related shocks and stresses. Most rural families experience poverty, with those headed by women suffering the most. Climate-induced shocks, the lingering effects of COVID-19, the impact of the conflict in Ukraine, rapidly rising inflation and an overall difficult economic landscape will further threaten food and nutrition security for the foreseeable future. Food and fuel prices have been on the rise, reaching record highs for the post-harvest period and eroding the limited purchasing power of Malawi’s poor and ultra-poor households, who already survive on less than US$165 per person, per year.

 

Malawi’s challenges are also compounded by high HIV prevalence (at 8.9 percent), low primary school completion (51 percent) and stunting – a sign of chronic undernutrition (35 percent for children under 5).  

 

WFP continues to strengthen its integrated approach, addressing issues related to food systems and increasing the focus on innovation, resilience programming and climate change adaptation. Our work improves livelihoods for smallholder farmers and other vulnerable populations, with an emphasis on women and youth.

 

WFP continues to partner with the Government, other UN agencies, NGOs, civil society and the private sector, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with a particular emphasis on reaching Zero Hunger (SDG 2), and aligning with Government strategies, particularly its Vision 2063.