Japan has allocated a K1.99 billion grant to Malawi through UNICEF which will aid in the recovery from Tropical Cyclone Freddy by making available water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and health services in Mulanje and Phalombe.
As Malawi is recovering from the shocks of tropical cyclone Freddy which wreaked havoc in March 2023, Ambassador of Japan to Malawi Yoichi Oya said in a statement that his government has partnered with United Nations organisation to support Malawi’s recovery and foster resilience, especially in the WASH and health services.
“Promoting universal health coverage, strengthening disease prevention measures, and enhancing disaster preparedness and response are interlinked goals that help to save lives, improve people’s well-being, and build the resilience of communities,” he said. “Achieving these goals requires investment in water supply and sanitation as well as measures to prevent and respond to disasters.”
The move by the Japanese government according to Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Sidik Mia, is a push in ensuring that Malawi attains the Sustainable Development Goal number 6 which looks at attaining universal access to water by 2030.
“Malawi is currently making all the necessary efforts to attain universal access to water by 2030 as per the Sustainable Development Goal number 6. This calls for mobilisation of both local and resources from development partners such as Japan,” said Mia. “These resources are targeting new WASH infrastructure but also rehabilitation of malfunctioning WASH systems in the country.”
UNICEF Representative Shadrack Omol described the gesture by the Japanese government as a timely intervention for the vulnerable communities.
“The assistance not only plays a vital role in addressing immediate needs and saving and improving the lives of vulnerable children and women, but also contributes to the broader goal of building disaster-resilient communities in the most vulnerable areas,” Omol said.
With the grant, at least 75,000 people from Phalombe and Mulanje will be served with wash services and enhanced mobile clinic services until January 2025.
Tropical cyclone Freddy affected 2.3 million people leaving close to 660,000 displaced.
Reported by Alinafe Mlamba
