Aid funding allocated to Malawi

Mar 17 2013

The First Minister has announced new funding for aid projects in Malawi before a week of celebrations marking 200 years since the birth of explorer David Livingstone.

Dr Livingstone established the first links between Scotland and Malawi 150 years ago when he went there as a missionary.

Alex Salmond made the announcement at Livingstone's birthplace in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, where he welcomed Malawi president Joyce Banda to Scotland.

A total of 15 projects run by Scottish organisations in the south-east African country will share £4,920,106 over the next three years from the Scottish Government's International Development Fund. Nine of the projects are related to healthcare, focusing on mother and child, and the other six projects are involved in sustainable economic development.

Making the announcement, the First Minister spoke of the "enduring and strong relationship" between Scotland and Malawi.

"I am particularly pleased that as we welcome President Banda, who is only the second-ever female head of state in Africa, that several of the projects we are supporting have a focus on women and children such as supporting professionals delivering maternal and child healthcare, and improving maternal and neonatal care in rural areas.

"It is also important that we focus on economic development in Malawi. Just as the global recession has hit the economy here, it has also hit hard, in fact, harder in developing countries. The Scottish Government is committed to working with the people of Malawi and continuing the partnership of skills and expertise that currently benefits Scots and Malawians every year."

One Scottish aid agency working in Malawi is Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf). Patricia Chale, director of the charity, said: "This money will help 3,000 of the poorest Malawian families to increase their income and the amount of food they can grow. Many will receive goats, cattle and livestock training. Eight villages will receive help to build new irrigation systems. Others will receive small loans and training in how to start up small businesses."

Oxfam Scotland will receive money towards its work supporting subsistence farmers in rural Malawi.

Judith Robertson, head of Oxfam Scotland, said: "This is very welcome funding which will make a real difference to thousands of the most vulnerable households in rural Malawi, including households headed by children or affected by HIV and Aids. The finance will help them improve their economic position through the provision of farming skills and technology."