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UN to dialogue with CSOs on revised allowance rate

United Nations (UN) resident coordinator Rebecca Adda-Dontoh is expected to meet civil society organisations (CSOs) through National Advocacy Platform (NAP) tomorrow over concerns about harmonised daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates.

According to a letter dated January 24 2025 signed by Adda-Dontoh and addressed to NAP chairperson Benedicto Kondowe, the invitation follows a complaint lodged by the latter on January 13 2025.

Says ready to meet CSO leaders: Addah-Dontoh. | Nation

Reads the letter in part: “I propose scheduling this meeting for February 5 2025 at 9am at the UN resident coordinator’s office.

“You may invite other CSO leaders who may be interested to join the meeting.”

Benedicto Kondowe confirmed yesterday that he had received the invitation.

In a letter dated January 13 2025 and addressed to Adda-Dontoh, Kondowe said the decision to reduce accommodation, lunch and dinner allowances to K60 000, K8 000 and K 9 500, respectively  is against economic realities and undermines CSOs’ effectiveness.

NAP said the revised rates are not only impractical, but reveal inequitable treatment that could impact the dignity and rights of Malawian participants, especially when compared to allowances for development partners.

“Findings reveal that standard accommodation costs a minimum of K80 000 per night in urban areas and K60 000 per night in districts,” reads in part the letter.

NAP further said the adoption of new rates is contrary to the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, particularly on aspects of harmonisation, alignment and the frameworks through which partners hold each other accountable.

“It raises critical human rights concerns, particularly regarding equity and dignity. If allowances are meant to reimburse actual expenses, the revised rates fail to meet this objective,” further reads the letter.

The new allowance guidelines, set by development partners and which took effect on December 20 2024, were also meant to push Malawi Government to cover expenses for its officials.

On June 27, Secretary for Human Resources, Management and Development Blessings Chilabade in a circular announced a revision of allowances effective July 1 2024.

The circular said government had approved increments in all categories, including allowances for civil servants travelling on duty within Malawi and subsistence allowances for officers travelling on duty outside Malawi.

For example, the circular said subsistence allowance for civil servants travelling within Malawi on duty was revised to K120 000 for the highest grade and K30 000 for the lowest grade.

It further said officers on the highest grade were pegged to receive a K25 000 meal allowance while those on the lowest would be getting K10 000 per day.

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