Malawi flooding crisis

Funding of £175,000 is being given to support emergency flood relief in Malawi.

Severe flooding in the south of Malawi over recent days has affected nearly a million people, resulting in loss of life and many tens of thousands of people being displaced.

The money will be used to deliver critical work to secure water supplies and treat contamination in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said:

“First and foremost, I know the people of Scotland will join the Scottish Government in sending our thoughts and prayers to the growing number of people in southern Malawi whose lives have been affected by this devastating flooding – particularly those who have, tragically, lost a family member.

“We have close links with the people of Malawi and, since news of the flooding broke, we have been in contact with International Development and Climate Justice Fund partners on the ground to identify how the Scottish Government can best support emergency relief efforts.

“The funding we have announced today will go to the heart of addressing the urgent issues being faced. It will enable our HydroNation programme experts, who are in the region right now co-ordinating relief efforts, to continue to deliver emergency action targeting the most at-risk water supplies.

“As climate change will cause weather events like this to become more frequent, it is critical that we continue to offer support to the international communities which are often the first to be affected.”

International Development Minister Ben Macpherson said:

 “Scotland is an outward-looking, compassionate nation and it is right that we support families and communities affected by these devastating floods in Malawi. 

“This cross-Government funding will complement our support for established programmes in the affected districts, while also providing emergency relief. 

“We will continue to monitor the status of our projects and partners in the regions badly-affected by the flooding, to address the immediate situation and also build resilience for the future. 

“Scotland’s links with Malawi are incredibly strong and our thoughts are with all of Malawi at this difficult time.”