Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
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On 23 March, a state of disaster was declared in 23 of Malawi's 28 districts due to the impacts of El Nino weather conditions.
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Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) admissions increased by 13 per cent in January 2024 compared to the same month in 2023.
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Malawi has continued registering new cholera cases: 173 cases with three deaths have been registered with a Case Fatality ratio (CFR) of 1.7 per cent in 2024.
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UNICEF support has enabled 860,492 people to access safe water in areas affected by floods and cholera.
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9,000 people benefitted from the continuity of essential healthcare services through Interagency Emergency Kits (IEHK) in three districts.
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UNICEF has secured US$ 8.4 million towards its 2024 humanitarian appeal (HAC) target of US$ 47.4 million, which makes up 82% of the funding gap.
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
4,500,000 Children in need of humanitarian assistance
9,000,000 People in need of humanitarian assistance
92,600 People affected by floods
9,000,000 People facing Acute Food shortage
FUNDING OVERVIEW AND PARTNERSHIPS
To meet the critical humanitarian needs of children, adolescents, women, and men in Malawi in 2024, UNICEF Malawi requires US$47.4 million. As of March 2024, UNICEF Malawi secured US$8.4 million (18%) towards the HAC appeal. Without additional funds, UNICEF will not be able to meet the needs of the children and their families who require critical lifesaving and life-sustaining support because of the impacts of the El Nino-induced floods and droughts, as well as those at risk of and affected by cholera.
SITUATION OVERVIEW AND HUMANITARIAN NEEDS
On Saturday, 23rd of March, President Chakwera declared a State of Disaster in 23 out of 28 districts affected by El Nino conditions, citing inadequate rains, floods, and prolonged dry spells that severely damaged crops and food production because of climate change and the current El Nino season during the current rainy season (October 2023 to March 2024).
As per preliminary assessments, nearly two (2) million families have been affected. Floods have affected 92,600 people in eight (8) districts, of which 63,932 were displaced from their homes and had to seek temporary shelter in camps as of 31 March. The floods have particularly impacted the district of Nkhotakota, where more than 80,000 people were affected and over 10,500 displaced. Also, in Nkhotakota, more than 18,700 learners (9,280 boys and 9,517 girls), including 109 with disabilities, were affected by the floods in 24 schools (20 primary and two secondary schools). In 12 schools, out of 44 classrooms, 12 were occupied by people displaced by the floods, thus disrupting learning.
Overall, the nation has observed an increasing trend in the number of new SAM admissions, with 3,752 in January 2024, compared to 3,312 in January 2023, and 4,190 in February 2024, compared to 3,633 in February 2023, representing a 13 per cent and 15 per cent increase, respectively. The following districts have registered more than 100 per cent of the expected SAM admissions: Nsanje - 239 per cent, Neno - 176 per cent, Chikwawa -163 per cent, Rumphi -154 per cent, Nkhotakota -147 per cent, Mangochi-149 per cent, Machinga-135 per cent, Thyolo-132 per cent, Zomba-121 per cent, CZ-116 per cent, Phalombe-115 per cent, Dedza-110 per cent, Ntchisi-106 per cent.
Malawi has continued to register new cholera cases despite its declaration that it is no longer a public health emergency, as stated by the Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus and Cholera on 5 August 2023. Since the beginning of the year to 31 March 2024, 173 cases with three deaths have been registered with a Case Fatality ratio (CFR) of 1.7 per cent. Of the total cases registered, 23 were imported from across the borders, including two deaths. The cases have been sporadic and registered in 16 of 29 health districts. The deaths are reported from Karonga, Mwanza, and Mzimba South.