UK gives Malawi K5.3bn for Covid-19 response

The visiting United Kingdom (UK) Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, has announced an additional £6 million (about K 5.3 Billion) to Malawi for scaling up the country’s COVID-19 preparedness and response.

The Minister made the announcement during his visit to a warehouse facility for COVID-19
supplies in Kanengo, Lilongwe, which is managed by UNICEF Malawi.

The package, through UNICEF, supports the Ministry of Health’s comprehensive COVID-19 plan to procure more supplies, enhance prevention measures as well as strengthen the capacity of health facilities to supply oxygen to those seriously affected.

This package is an addition to the £1.8m of UK aid that was provided earlier in March to support the setting up of the national testing lab, improve screening across nine districts, setting up of six emergency treatment units, training of 200 health workers, and procuring vital supplies as well
as raising public awareness about the pandemic.