Germany grants K5.4bn to Malawi

Malawi and Germany on Wednesday signed a financial cooperation agreement worth 12 million euros (about K5.4 billion) to support the social cash transfer programme.

Part of the grant will also be used to strengthen the public-private partnerships (PPPs) for a reproductive health project being implemented through the Christian Health Association of Malawi (Cham).

Speaking during the official signing ceremony of the grant agreement, German Ambassador Peter Woeste explained that 7 million euros will be dedicated towards the social cash transfer programme while 5 million euros will be pumped into PPPs for reproductive health.

Said Woeste: “Both programmes are part of Germany’s long-term support to Malawi’s health sector aimed at improving basic health care, especially sexual and reproductive health.”

The ambassador stated that with the strengthening of PPPs for reproductive health programme, Germany aims to reduce maternal mortality rate and the high population growth in Malawi.

He stressed that with Malawi’s population hitting 14 million at present, it was imperative for the country to embark on family planning programmes aimed at containing rapid population growth

He said the social cash transfer, on one hand, aims to reduce and eventually eradicate ultra poverty in Malawi.

In his remarks, Minister of Finance Ken Lipenga thanked Germany for the financial support which he said will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the most vulnerable of the society.

He said with the social cash transfer programme, most vulnerable Malawians are able to buy the essential items in their lives such as food, medicine and also sending their children to school.

Currently, social cash transfer programme is being implemented in Chitipa, Likoma, Machinga, Mchinji, Salima, Phalombe and Balaka.