By Wendy Mkandawire
Save the Children says 48,000 children under the age of five are expected to benefit from improved nutrition through a new project aimed at supporting children and women, particularly during times of disaster.
Speaking during the launch of the three-year European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Save the Children Country Director, Chakufwa Munthali, said the project focuses on nutrition and emergency response.
He further said that It is designed to complement government efforts to fight malnutrition in Malawi.
According to Munthali, the challenges are most severe in districts that are frequently affected by natural disasters.
According to Munthali the project is coming in to prepare parents and guardians by ensuring they have access to the five food groups, this will help to improve the nutritional status of children even during disasters.
Munthali highlighted that the survey indicates that around 39 percent of children are stunted and the project will be implemented in Chikwawa and Neno .
Munthali further said Save the Children is prioritizing localization, the organization is aligning with donor regulations to ensure that 30 percent of its annual budget goes through local partners such as YONECO.
He noted that local partners are closer to communities and have a better understanding of the local context than international organizations.
“By partnering with local partners, we are able to address real issues because they understand the local context,” he said.
Commenting on the matter, Director of Nutrition in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Nedson Fosiko, said good nutrition helps prevent both infectious and non-communicable diseases, which Malawi continues to struggle with.
He added that with climate change bringing more frequent shocks, food security is being affected, and this in turn compromises nutrition security.
The Humanitarian Implementation Plan, ECHO-HIP 2026, project is valued at $1.2 million and will be implemented in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar.
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About the Writer
Wendy Mkandawire is executive reporter for Leyman Publications based in Lilongwe, Malawi. |
