Oxfam has been working in Malawi since 1987. The current programme is a joint action of five Oxfams working together: Oxfam Ireland, Oxfam Novib, Oxfam Hong Kong, Oxfam Australia and Oxfam Great Britain. The programme currently focuses on humanitarian aid, sustainable livelihoods, HIV and AIDS, health, and gender justice.
Economic empowerment
Malawi is a small land-locked country with a population of approximately 13 million, a very limited industrial base and minimal mineral resources. It is one of the twelve poorest countries in the world. Oxfam works to create economic opportunities for disadvantaged groups, with a particular focus on women. Projects include milk co-operatives, community fish farming, irrigation and training in crops diversification.
Humanitarian mission
Because of the frequent occurrence of disasters such as droughts or floods in Malawi, Oxfam works to improve the food security of communities across the region, in order to bring an end to this cyclical crisis. We provide disaster preparedness training to communities and build the capacity of key stakeholders to influence better policies at national level.
Climate change
People in Malawi say the familiar winds are becoming more erratic and unreliable, and sometimes dangerously strong. Droughts and floods are increasing, partly because of deforestation and the cutting down of reed beds such as these on the shores of Lake Malawi. Photo: John Magrath/Oxfam.
Climate change is causing an increase of weather-related hazards in Malawi, exacerbating the vulnerability of the poor. Oxfam projects focus on advocacy and campaigning – both nationally and internationally – as well as local solutions, training farmers in agricultural techniques that are sustainable and environmentally friendly and providing crop seeds, livestock and clean water supplies for rural communities.
- Download the Winds of Change report about climate change in Malawi
Violence against women
Violence against women and girls is both a serious violation of human rights and a development issue. Although the legal environment in Malawi is relatively progressive, there is a huge challenge in translating policy into practice, due to the persistence of conflicting traditional beliefs, specifically around the role of women. Focus areas for Oxfam include awareness raising, promoting the implementation of policy, and changing attitudes of rural communities towards violence against women.
HIV and AIDS
Esther Peter. Photo: Carlo Heathcote
Despite some good progress in recent years, HIV and AIDS remains a major problem in Malawi and life expectancy is estimated to be 38.5 years, the sixth lowest rate in the world. The health sector has been hit hard, and the country has only 40% of the nurses it needs. Poor wages and working conditions mean that many are leaving the country to work overseas. Oxfam is working with civil society groups in Malawi to lobby the government for better health care and education, as well as improving poor people’s access to medicines and providing home-based care and support.
“Home-based carers like me are available 24 hours a day, if needed. Oxfam has given us kits containing calamine lotion, paracetamol, cotton wool, bandages, antiseptic, soap, disposable aprons and gloves, to help us in our work”.
Esther Peter, Home-Based Carer, Malenga village.
Chibalo village leader, Malawi.
€26/£21 can provide Bees from Oxfam Unwrapped. In Malawi, bee-keeping gives poor people the opportunity to generate an income, as they can sell their honey at market. Oxfam Ireland supports bee-keeping projects in Malawi with a particular focus on helping women and those living with HIV and AIDS.
