By Burnett Munthali
A delegation from the European Union (EU), along with representatives from the embassies of Ireland, Iceland, and Norway, visited the Mlinde Catchment Area in Traditional Authority Malili, Lilongwe, yesterday to witness the significant impact of Malawi’s Social Cash Transfer and Enhanced Public Works programmes.
The visit aimed to highlight the positive effects these initiatives have had on local communities, particularly in enhancing food security and fostering sustainable livelihoods.
EU Programme Manager for Malawi, Arnold Chikavanga, shared the success of the programmes, noting that they have significantly improved the lives of many households. “The programmes have enabled families to feed their children three times a day and send them to school, contributing positively to national development and growth,” he said.
The programs, which have reached approximately 29,000 individuals, are heavily focused on supporting women-headed households, which make up 71% of the beneficiaries. The remainder of the beneficiaries (29%) are men-headed households. These initiatives provide business and farming skills, which have helped reduce poverty rates from 20% to 10%.
The delegation also praised the Mlinde community for its climate-resilient public works initiatives, which include innovative soil conservation techniques like vetiver grass planting, swales, and the planting of 45,000 tree seedlings during the current planting season. These initiatives are designed to combat soil erosion and promote sustainable agriculture in the area, contributing to the long-term sustainability of local farming practices.
One of the beneficiaries, Samalani Chimsoko, from Nguluwe Village, spoke of the transformation the programmes have brought to their lives. “We are now able to make decisions on our own in business and farming activities after being trained. These programmes have helped us become more independent and self-sufficient,” Chimsoko said.
The Social Cash Transfer and Enhanced Public Works programmes have proven to be vital in supporting vulnerable households, particularly in rural areas, by providing financial assistance, skills training, and opportunities for community development.
A Step Toward Sustainable Development
The visit by the EU and development partners underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing poverty and building climate-resilient communities in Malawi. With continued support, the initiatives are set to contribute further to improving the well-being of households and promoting sustainable development in the country.
