Highlights
The Malawi Government declared a state of disaster on 12 April 2016, following severe dryness during most of the recently concluded growing season which seriously damaged crop development resulting in production being reduced by 12 per cent compared to last year at a time when production was already 25 per cent below the five-year average.
In May 2016, negative coping mechanisms were reported to have increased in the central and southern regions of the country while maize prices were reported to be high, at 70 to 130 per cent higher than the three-year average.
A process is underway to develop an Emergency Response Plan in cooperation between the Government of Malawi and the United Nations through the humanitarian clusters.
A Joint Inter-Agency Refugee Appeal for an amount of USD 14,947,727 was launched in Lilongwe on 19 May covering protection, food, health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), shelter & non-food items, education, self-reliance & environment and operational support to respond to the needs of the Mozambican People of Concern in Malawi.
A total of 287 new cholera cases have been reported during the period of 1 to 24 May 2016, bringing the cumulative number cases to 1,591 and 42 deaths.
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
The Government of Malawi declared a state of disaster on 12 April 2016, following severe dryness during most of the recently concluded growing season which severely damaged crop development resulting in production being reduced by 12 per cent compared to last year at a time when production was already 25 per cent below the five-year average (from 2010 to 2014). This cumulative impact will bring the lean period forward and increase the food prices earlier and faster.
The number of food insecure people resulting from this situation will be confirmed once the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) releases results from the annual food security assessment that was undertaken from 8 to 27 May 2016. The MVAC results are expected to be released in June. However according to WFP, negative coping mechanisms have increased in the central and southern regions in May while maize prices were higher at 70 to 130 per cent higher than the three-year average .
A process is underway to develop an Emergency Response Plan (ERP), in cooperation between the Government of Malawi and the UN through the humanitarian clusters. So far food security, nutrition, health and WASH have been identified as the key priorities for immediate assistance.
A total of 287 new cholera cases have been reported during the period of 1 to 24 May 2016. The new cases have been reported in six districts (Zomba, Machinga, Karonga, Rumphi, Salima and Nsanje). As of 24 May, the total number of cases in the treatment camps as of was 13. The national cumulative number of cholera cases is 1,591 with 42 deaths representing a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 2.64%. The national CFR is above the recommended 1% CFR for cholera by WHO. UNICEF and other partners including WHO, MSF, PSI, Malawi Red Cross, Save the Children, World Vision International, Plan International among others continue supporting the Ministry of Health to undertake various activities to contain the outbreak.
Additionally, Malawi has been receiving new arrivals fleeing reported conflict in Mozambique, mainly from Tete Province. While the rate of new arrivals to Malawi peaked at 300 individuals per day in mid-February, arrivals are reported to have slowed down significantly since April. According to UNHCR statistical update of 14 May 2016, a total of 11,612 People of Concern have been registered of which 9,381 were at Kapise transit site, 723 had been moved to Luwani camp and 1,508 had been registered at other locations (Chikwawa, Nsanje and Thambani). UNHCR, working in collaboration with the Government of Malawi and IOM, have been conducting a relocation exercise to the Luwani refugee camp since 15 April 2016 following a decision by the Government of Malawi to re-open the Luwani refugee camp in Neno District in view of the increased numbers, overcrowding and substandard living conditions in Kapise. Work on the preparation of the Luwani Refugee Camp for the wider Mozambican Population of Concern is still in progress with various sector activities underway. A Joint Inter-Agency Refugee Appeal for an amount of USD 14,947,727 was launched in Lilongwe on 19 May covering protection (12%), food (11%), health and nutrition (4%) wash (14%), shelter & non-food items (35%), education (3%), self-reliance & environment (3%) and operational support (18%).