Malawi Appeal

We need you to help!

Progressio has opened an office in Malawi and is about to start working on projects there. Lloyd Simwaka, Progressio's country representative, has been building relationships with potential partner organisations. These include three organisations supporting people living with HIV and AIDS and three groups working on environmental issues.

Poverty remains the key issue in Malawi and the country is ranked the 166th poorest out of the world's 177 ranked countries (UNDP 2006). Around half the population live below the national poverty level (approx £0.25 per day) with around a fifth unable to meet their daily food requirements.

UNAIDS estimates there are 1 million people living with HIV in Malawi (the prevalence rate is 14%) and only 20% receive treatment. Some of the main issues are access to medication, stigma and discrimination, and the additional complication when HIV is combined with TB.

The key environmental issues facing the country include the widespread deforestation which has gone on uncontrolled for many years. Forest only exists now in national parks. This has led to local climate change and a decrease in biodiversity. Additionally Lake Malawi is suffering due to over-fishing, pollution and increased human demand on the lake.

In the UK, to support Lloyd's work we need to start to build a fund to pay for the first development workers. That is why we want you as our members to consider supporting our Malawi programme now. With money in the bank in advance we can speed up the process of placing development workers on the ground, working with local organisations in Malawi to tackle poverty and injustice.

If you would like to support this work please make an on-line donation now or contact our Supporter Development Officer Martin Auton-Lloyd or call him on 020 7354 0883.

More about our work in Malawi.