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Malawi

UNICEF Malawi Humanitarian Situation Report No. 5, January - December 2024

Attachments

HIGHLIGHTS

  • In 2024, UNICEF’s emergency response in Malawi reached 5.7 million people with integrated life-saving services in all 28 districts. The beneficiaries include 2.8 million children under the age of 5, 66,054 primary-school-aged children, 55,610 adolescents, and over 331,000 care givers of children 0-23 months.
  • UNICEF Malawi secured US$19.6 million, meeting 41% of its US$47.4 million appeal, to address the urgent needs of children and women affected by cholera and El Niño-induced floods and droughts.
  • 2.85 million children under five were screened for child wasting and nutrition oedema across all 19 El Niño-affected districts. Of these, 2 per cent were identified with acute malnutrition and referred to the nearest health facilities for appropriate care, leading to the admission of 40,811 children for treatment.
  • 3.67 million people received essential WASH supplies.
  • 1.2 million people benefitted from UNICEF-supported protection services.

SITUATION OVERVIEW AND HUMANITARIAN NEEDS

In 2024, climate-related hazards continued to disrupt lives and livelihoods across Malawi. The country faced a severe decline in food security due to El Niño-related climatic shocks, including floods in the northern regions, delayed rains, and prolonged dry spells in many areas. These challenges led to a sharp drop in agricultural production.

On 23 March 2024, the President of the Republic of Malawi, His Excellency President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera declared a state of disaster across 23 of the country’s 28 districts. These vulnerabilities were further exacerbated by economic instability, high commodity prices, and inflation, leaving households struggling to afford sufficient food to meet their needs. As a result, 5.7 million people (28 per cent of the population analysed) were pushed into acute food insecurity between October 2024 and March 2025.

This crisis resulted in a significant increase in child malnutrition:

  • Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) admissions rose by 18 per cent, from 37,839 in 2023 to 44,573 in 2024.
  • Moderate wasting admissions increased by 76 per cent, from 22,158 in 2023 to 38,963 in 2024.
  • Nine districts (Chikwawa, Machinga, Mangochi, Mulanje, Neno, Nsanje, Phalombe, Rumphi, and Zomba) admitted more than 100 per cent of their expected SAM caseloads by December 2024.

Floods and Displacement:

Between January and March 2024, floods affected 92,600 people across eight districts, displacing 63,932 individuals who sought temporary shelter in camps. Nkhotakota district was the worst affected, with over 10,500 households displaced across 12 camps. The flooding also disrupted education for 18,700 learners (9,280 boys, 9,517 girls), including 109 children with disabilities, in 22 schools (20 primary and two secondary). In 12 schools, 44 classrooms were occupied by displaced persons, further disrupting learning.

Cyclone Chido:

In mid-December 2024, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Malawi, bringing high-speed winds and torrential rainfall, severely impacting 14 district councils and 3 city councils. The cyclone caused widespread destruction to homes, schools, health facilities, and essential infrastructure, leaving thousands in urgent need of assistance.

The disaster affected over 7,700 households, comprising 34,740 people, with many displaced due to flooding and structural damage. Initial assessments indicate significant disruptions in access to clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and education services, further increasing risks of waterborne diseases, malnutrition, and protection concerns, particularly for children and women.

Cholera Outbreaks:

Cholera remains endemic in Malawi. The outbreak which commenced in 2023, was declared over in Malawi on 10 July 2024. However, cases persisted throughout the year, with 498 cases of cholera reported in 2024, including 16 deaths (a Case Fatality Rate of 3.2 per cent) across 15 districts. The highest cases were reported in Mulanje (41 per cent), Nsanje (14 per cent), and Mangochi (11 per cent).