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UK funds climate resilience

Malawi is among sub-Saharan African countries to benefit from a K250 billion (about 250 million pounds) funding from the United Kingdom (UK) to finance efforts to build resilience to climate change impact.

In a statement made available to The Nation on Tuesday, the British High Commission in Lilongwe said UK’s International Development Secretary Rory Stewart made the announcement during his two-day Africa visit.

Stewart: This funding is vital

The statement said the funding is expected to help sub-Saharan African countries, including Malawi, to build resilience to climate change and develop low carbon economies.

Further, Stewart is quoted as having said that for the next five years, the funding will ensure that UK expertise and experience help developing countries to be more climate resilient and gradually use cleaner energy sources to stop use of fossil fuels.

Climate change has had devastating impact on the country’s economy

He said: “Working in partnership with African governments, organisations and communities, this funding would be the Department for International Development’s [DfID] largest single direct climate change investment ever in the continent.”

On his part, WaterAid chief executive officer Tim Wainwright described the funding as a boost to efforts in addressing climate change.

He said without such funding, gains made in the last decade will be derailed, leaving people without basic services such as clean water and good toilets.

The UK has committed to provide about K5.7 trillion (5.8 billion pounds) of International Climate Finance from 2016 to 2020 to assist developing countries address climate change.

In Malawi, the UK is set to launch a new resilience climate action programme worth about K69.7 billion (70 million pounds).

In March, Malawi experienced devastating floods resulting from Cyclone Idai, a climate change related phenomenon which affected about 975 000 people, displaced about 87 000 households and killed 60 people.

In January, the African Development Bank (AfDB) rated Malawi among poorest countries facing worst economic and financial risks arising from climate change.

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