Campaigners fear cut in funds for Malawi

Campaigners yesterday called on the Scottish Executive to maintain its level of financial support to Malawi.

Members of the Scotland Malawi Partnership are due to meet Linda Fabiani, the Minister for External Affairs, tomorrow to demand that the executive's plans to give aid to more African countries does not lead to the amount Malawi receives being cut.

They will present a petition signed by more than 1000 people and organisations urging the executive to strengthen its links with the country.
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Some 58 projects have benefited from millions of pounds in Scottish aid since the Scotland Malawi Co-operation Agreement was signed in November 2005.

They include the Mary's Meals project, which has fed an extra 11,000 children a day, and the Malawi Millennium Project to deliver equipment to secondary schools attended by visually-impaired youngsters.

Dr Peter West, chairman of Scotland Malawi Partnership, said he wanted assurances that support would continue.

The SNP-led executive has pledged to double the amount of foreign aid currently distributed.

A spokeswoman for the executive said: "The new government will retain a commitment to Malawi, but is also likely to consider supporting other countries with which Scotland has strong links."