Malawi

Why are we in Malawi? Malawi is ranked 169th out of 191 in the Human Development Index. More than 71% of Malawians are living below the poverty line, of which an estimated 20% are living in extreme poverty. We work with the most vulnerable households in Malawi, supporting livelihoods, resilience to climate change, and promoting gender equality.

Over 80% of Malawians source their livelihoods from the land

Climatic shocks such as drought, flooding, and strong weather patterns are a regular occurrence in Malawi. In 2023, over 500 people were killed and 500,000 people displaced when Cyclone Freddy battered southern Malawi. About four million people — a fifth of Malawi’s population — were already facing food insecurity prior to Cyclone Freddy, but with close to 120 hectares of farmland being destroyed, many, many more will be in need of assistance. Climate shocks also lead to failed harvests, resulting in reduced income and inability to feed families for pastoralists.

Latest achievements

Emergency response

With the support of Irish Aid, we launched one of the first COVID-19 response programmes in a highly dense suburb of Lilongwe, which reached over 36,000 people through critical WASH supplies and sensitisation on COVID-19 prevention measures and protection issues. We also trained over 100 key health workers on prevention practices while ensuring they are equipped with PPE.

 

Graduation programme

Food and nutrition

Marita Kafera waters her kitchen garden, Malawi. Photo: Jennifer Nolan / Concern Worldwide.
Marita Kafera waters her kitchen garden, Malawi. Photo: Jennifer Nolan / Concern Worldwide.
Farmer Ussein and his wife Emma holding goat
Ussein Jamali, a farmer, and his wife Emma who live in Mpomba Village, Nsanje District. Photo: Chris Gagnon/Concern Worldwide
Concern staff in hi-vis jackets unloading truck with supplies
Concern Team in Nsanje assist in distributing items to 500 displaced houses sheltering in camps due to Cyclone Freddy. Photo: Concern Worldwide
Young boy holding chicken
Tamandani with a chicken his family purchased with money from Concern Worldwide. Photo: Chris Gagnon
Farmer Eliza John Wesele standing in her home garden
Eliza John Wesele, a participant in Concern’s graduation programme. Photo: Emma Kelly
Farmer Lucia Tebulo, smiling and wearing pink patterned dress in Malawi field
Lucia Tebulo (40) is a farmer with 6 children from Samu village, Neno District. Photo: Chris Gagnon/Concern Worldwide
Concern staff walk through maize fields in Malawi
Concern staff walk through maize fields planted by farmers from the Sayamika Catchment Conservation Group. Photo: Emma Kelly/Concern Worldwide

Donal Skehan programme visit

In November 2016, celebrity chef Donal Skehan traveled to Malawi to visit our programmes and see the work that we're doing to address malnutrition and hunger across the country. In addition, he saw how our Concern Christmas Gifts are helping to change lives too. 

Part 1

Part 2

How we're helping Malawi

We are working hard to combat suffering and build resilience in Malawi. We are doing this by establishing programmes which will combat gender inequality, climate change and help improve livelihoods.

Graduation programme
Climate change
Gender equality
Syria emergency appeal

Turkey-Syria Earthquake Emergency Appeal

  • Earthquakes have caused widespread devastation and loss of life in Turkey (Türkiye) and Syria

  • Millions affected and tens of thousands left homeless

  • Concern Worldwide is on the ground providing shelter, food, water and heating

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