Standard Bank and World Vision have entered into a K240 million worth partnership to promote environmental conservation and enhance climate resilience in the areas of traditional authorities Mazengera and Chitekwere in Lilongwe District.
The four-year partnership will see implementation of environmental conversation programmes under the Mtengo Wanga Initiative which will, among others, enhance resilience of 10,000 community members.
Head of Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank, Graham Chipande, says many aspects of the country’s development such as education, health, agriculture , women and youth have been threatened by climate change.
Chipande says the partnership is a commitment to restore degraded soils, protect forests and promote sustainable environmental conservation activities through youth empowerment and mindset change.
Director of Operations at Word Vision, Charles Chimombo, says the pace of destruction of forests in the country is faster than progress made in reforestation.
He has since urged people, organisations and companies in the country to emulate the gesture by Standard Bank and be proactive in restoring the lost forest cover.
Under the initiative, 200 hectares of degraded land will be restored, four schools will be engaged; with 4000 school going children trained and equipped in environmental management and over 700 beehives and honey kits will be distributed in the communities where villagers will be empowered economically through village savings groups.
