Over 1 million Malawians are threatened by food shortages over the next three months as weather forecasts predict an enhanced likelihood of flooding in the southern African country, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned.
"Consequently, women and children under five will become more exposed to malnutrition and infections as well as to abuse and exploitation," UNICEF said in its latest update on the situation, highlighting its efforts to step up feeding for severely malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women, and prevent cholera and other water-borne diseases.
The UN Country Team recently submitted a request for $5.5 million in emergency UN relief aid, and UNICEF is seeking an additional $2.5 to meet the immediate and medium-term needs of children and women throughout the affected areas for the coming five months.
Some 200,000 women and children under five will need humanitarian assistance in 2008 and the agency called for the two mutually reinforcing causes of insecurity - a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and chronic poverty - to be addressed in tandem with food aid.
Floods have already displaced tens of thousands of people in neighbouring Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia and the main commercial corridor from central Mozambique to landlocked Malawi has been cut, causing delays in the transportation of food and fuel and leading to a shortage of petrol.
Cholera remains a major threat in Malawi with recurrent outbreaks during the rainy season from November to April and is a major risk factor in flooding due to the possible breakdown of water and sanitation facilities.
Food shortages and malnutrition have a direct effect on individual susceptibility to diseases and thus the level of a possible epidemic will be directly related to people's access to food and safe water, UNICEF warned.
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Unsung victims of dollar diplomacy
FOLLOWING MALAWI'S DECISION to drop ties with Taiwan in favor of China, an important issue is emerging: What will happen to people living with HIV/AIDS who receive treatment and care from a joint Malawi-Taiwan program in Mzuzu City in the country's north?
The impact on Malawians could be devastating. Several other agricultural, health and cultural projects involving Taiwan will also have to be canceled at the expense of the local population.
In 2000, a Taiwanese medical mission began to work in the only referral hospital in Northern Malawi province, which is home to 4 million people who have limited access to modern facilities.
Given a nationwide lack of medical staff -- a problem that Medecins Sans Frontieres has cited time and again -- the presence of the 20 regular medical staff from Taiwan is very welcome; the team provides around 40 percent of in-hospital care in Mzuzu.
To support the fight against HIV/AIDS in Malawi -- where about 1 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and where 15 percent of people aged 15 to 49 are infected -- the Taiwanese team, in cooperation with Mzuzu Hospital, launched a program that has allowed around 7,900 patients to receive antiretroviral treatment.
The joint program includes a therapeutic follow-up, which relies on a monitoring electronic system that was developed by the Taiwanese team and that is internationally recognized (The Lancet, Vol. 365, Issue 9469, April 23, 2005).
If, in the name of non-dual recognition, the Taiwanese medical mission has to leave Malawi, the consequences for these patients could be disastrous.
If the team leaves Mzuzu Hospital, the capacity to provide treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS will decrease sharply and will not be replaced by other Malawian health professionals, despite the fact that the mission has made a point of including local health professionals in the program.
Provision of care, distribution of antiretroviral drugs and monitoring of HIV patients will also decrease.
People living with HIV/AIDS will directly suffer from this development and the risk of resistance to drugs will be increased because of the interruption to their treatment.
There is a possibility that the Taiwanese will be replaced by a Chinese medical team.
In theory this could work, but in reality the new team would have to spend time building trust with local people to understand the sociopolitical situation and to gather sufficient expertise on the local experience of HIV/AIDS. This process would take some time. So, once again, the quality of care, drug distribution and follow-up would be seriously disrupted.
For the sake of the health of Malawians living in the northern part of the country -- and particularly for those who are living with HIV/AIDS -- it is a far better option that the Taiwanese team continue its work at Mzuzu Hospital.
The continued provision of adequate health services to the region will rely on the wisdom of the three governments involved.
Taiwan has to accept the need to continue supporting its medical team at the AIDS clinic even now that Malawi has made China a diplomatic ally.
This would offer conspicuous evidence that Taiwan does not play politics over health.
China, as a responsible state committed to the promotion of sustainable development, should let the Taiwanese team continue pursuing its work, which is important for the development of a country that has high rates of HIV/AIDS.
New health projects could be developed by China in other regions where health access remains limited.
Finally, the Malawian government should understand that if it supports the departure of the Taiwanese medical team, the main victims in this diplomatic shift would be its own people, notably people living with HIV/AIDS in the north.
The question is this: Is it acceptable for a democratic country to sacrifice its own population for political gain?
The health of people living with HIV/AIDS and of people in the northern region of Malawi in general directly depends on the interlinked responses of the three governments.
If any one of them places politics before health, it must be aware that lives will be put in great danger.
The impact on Malawians could be devastating. Several other agricultural, health and cultural projects involving Taiwan will also have to be canceled at the expense of the local population.
In 2000, a Taiwanese medical mission began to work in the only referral hospital in Northern Malawi province, which is home to 4 million people who have limited access to modern facilities.
Given a nationwide lack of medical staff -- a problem that Medecins Sans Frontieres has cited time and again -- the presence of the 20 regular medical staff from Taiwan is very welcome; the team provides around 40 percent of in-hospital care in Mzuzu.
To support the fight against HIV/AIDS in Malawi -- where about 1 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and where 15 percent of people aged 15 to 49 are infected -- the Taiwanese team, in cooperation with Mzuzu Hospital, launched a program that has allowed around 7,900 patients to receive antiretroviral treatment.
The joint program includes a therapeutic follow-up, which relies on a monitoring electronic system that was developed by the Taiwanese team and that is internationally recognized (The Lancet, Vol. 365, Issue 9469, April 23, 2005).
If, in the name of non-dual recognition, the Taiwanese medical mission has to leave Malawi, the consequences for these patients could be disastrous.
If the team leaves Mzuzu Hospital, the capacity to provide treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS will decrease sharply and will not be replaced by other Malawian health professionals, despite the fact that the mission has made a point of including local health professionals in the program.
Provision of care, distribution of antiretroviral drugs and monitoring of HIV patients will also decrease.
People living with HIV/AIDS will directly suffer from this development and the risk of resistance to drugs will be increased because of the interruption to their treatment.
There is a possibility that the Taiwanese will be replaced by a Chinese medical team.
In theory this could work, but in reality the new team would have to spend time building trust with local people to understand the sociopolitical situation and to gather sufficient expertise on the local experience of HIV/AIDS. This process would take some time. So, once again, the quality of care, drug distribution and follow-up would be seriously disrupted.
For the sake of the health of Malawians living in the northern part of the country -- and particularly for those who are living with HIV/AIDS -- it is a far better option that the Taiwanese team continue its work at Mzuzu Hospital.
The continued provision of adequate health services to the region will rely on the wisdom of the three governments involved.
Taiwan has to accept the need to continue supporting its medical team at the AIDS clinic even now that Malawi has made China a diplomatic ally.
This would offer conspicuous evidence that Taiwan does not play politics over health.
China, as a responsible state committed to the promotion of sustainable development, should let the Taiwanese team continue pursuing its work, which is important for the development of a country that has high rates of HIV/AIDS.
New health projects could be developed by China in other regions where health access remains limited.
Finally, the Malawian government should understand that if it supports the departure of the Taiwanese medical team, the main victims in this diplomatic shift would be its own people, notably people living with HIV/AIDS in the north.
The question is this: Is it acceptable for a democratic country to sacrifice its own population for political gain?
The health of people living with HIV/AIDS and of people in the northern region of Malawi in general directly depends on the interlinked responses of the three governments.
If any one of them places politics before health, it must be aware that lives will be put in great danger.
Taiwan asks Malawi 60 days to wind up operations: envoy
Taiwan, given its marching orders from Malawi after the government switched diplomatic allegiance to mainland China, has asked for more time to pack up its operations, a diplomat said on Wednesday.
The Malawian government had initially given its ally of 42 years a month to clear its desk after Monday's announcement that it was forging ties with the rival regime in Beijing.
But Elliot Jiang, spokesman for the Taiwanese embassy, said he was optimistic of a 30-day extension as part of a reciprocal arrangement under which Malawi would have to close up its diplomatic mission in Taipei within two months.
"Originally, we were given 30 days, but my judgment is that they will grant us the 60 days. It will be reciprocal," Jiang told AFP.
Malawi's Foreign Minister Joyce Banda indicated she would look favourably on the request given "the good relationship we enjoyed during all those years".
The switch to Beijing was formally announced on Monday in a joint statement by the Malawi and Chinese governnments.
Taiwan, which bankrolled Malawi 400 million dollars (270 million euros) annually in various development programmes, reacted angrily to the announcement. It terminated various cooperation agreements with Malawi and accused it of embarrassing President Chen Shui-bian as he was about to embark on an overseas tour.
Mainland China has been investing heavily in Africa in recent years as it eyes up the continent's vast natural resources, but its push has attracted criticism that only the elite have benefitted from the relationship.
Before Monday's announcement, Malawi had been the biggest African nation to still recognise Taiwan and only Burkina Faso, Gambia, Swaziland and Sao Tome and Principe now remain as allies.
UN Seeks Additional Funds to Feed Citizens Threatened By Floods
Over 1 million Malawians are threatened by food shortages over the next three months as weather forecasts predict an enhanced likelihood of flooding in the southern African country, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned.
"Consequently, women and children under five will become more exposed to malnutrition and infections as well as to abuse and exploitation," UNICEF said in its latest update on the situation, highlighting its efforts to step up feeding for severely malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women, and prevent cholera and other water-borne diseases.
The UN Country Team recently submitted a request for $5.5 million in emergency UN relief aid, and UNICEF is seeking an additional $2.5 to meet the immediate and medium-term needs of children and women throughout the affected areas for the coming five months.
Some 200,000 women and children under five will need humanitarian assistance in 2008 and the agency called for the two mutually reinforcing causes of insecurity - a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and chronic poverty - to be addressed in tandem with food aid.
Floods have already displaced tens of thousands of people in neighbouring Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia and the main commercial corridor from central Mozambique to landlocked Malawi has been cut, causing delays in the transportation of food and fuel and leading to a shortage of petrol.
Cholera remains a major threat in Malawi with recurrent outbreaks during the rainy season from November to April and is a major risk factor in flooding due to the possible breakdown of water and sanitation facilities.
Food shortages and malnutrition have a direct effect on individual susceptibility to diseases and thus the level of a possible epidemic will be directly related to people's access to food and safe water, UNICEF warned.
"Consequently, women and children under five will become more exposed to malnutrition and infections as well as to abuse and exploitation," UNICEF said in its latest update on the situation, highlighting its efforts to step up feeding for severely malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women, and prevent cholera and other water-borne diseases.
The UN Country Team recently submitted a request for $5.5 million in emergency UN relief aid, and UNICEF is seeking an additional $2.5 to meet the immediate and medium-term needs of children and women throughout the affected areas for the coming five months.
Some 200,000 women and children under five will need humanitarian assistance in 2008 and the agency called for the two mutually reinforcing causes of insecurity - a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and chronic poverty - to be addressed in tandem with food aid.
Floods have already displaced tens of thousands of people in neighbouring Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia and the main commercial corridor from central Mozambique to landlocked Malawi has been cut, causing delays in the transportation of food and fuel and leading to a shortage of petrol.
Cholera remains a major threat in Malawi with recurrent outbreaks during the rainy season from November to April and is a major risk factor in flooding due to the possible breakdown of water and sanitation facilities.
Food shortages and malnutrition have a direct effect on individual susceptibility to diseases and thus the level of a possible epidemic will be directly related to people's access to food and safe water, UNICEF warned.
Taiwan man to be treated for malaria in Malawi
A Taiwanese man who recently contracted malaria in Malawi has returned to Taiwan to receive treatment, the first non-domestic malaria case of the year, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday.
The 55 year-old man contracted the tropical disease after being bitten by a mosquito when he was inspecting a road project in Malawi, said Lin Ting, deputy director general of the DOH's Center for Disease Control (CDC).
The man returned to Taiwan at the end of last year, which Lin said had nothing to do with the Taiwan government's decision a day earlier to cut diplomatic ties with Malawi, which recently switched recognition to China.
Some of the man's colleagues were also infected, Lin went on.
Taiwan has been free of malaria since 1965, according to Lin, who added that non-domestic malaria cases reported in the country mainly come from Southeast Asia, Africa and Oceania.
The 55 year-old man contracted the tropical disease after being bitten by a mosquito when he was inspecting a road project in Malawi, said Lin Ting, deputy director general of the DOH's Center for Disease Control (CDC).
The man returned to Taiwan at the end of last year, which Lin said had nothing to do with the Taiwan government's decision a day earlier to cut diplomatic ties with Malawi, which recently switched recognition to China.
Some of the man's colleagues were also infected, Lin went on.
Taiwan has been free of malaria since 1965, according to Lin, who added that non-domestic malaria cases reported in the country mainly come from Southeast Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Malawi fooled Taiwan intentionally: MOFA
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The Malawi government joined forces with China in masterminding the switch of bilateral relations from Taipei to Beijing and fooling Taiwan authorities, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday.
The official made the comment following the government's last minute decision Monday evening to break off diplomatic ties with Malawi after its 42-year African ally announced that afternoon it was severing ties with Taipei and establishing relations with Beijing.
"Malawi collaborated with China in hiding the truth during that period of time," said MOFA acting spokesperson Phoebe Yeh.
"The Malawi government and Malawi ambassador in Taipei gave assurances [to the ministry] on several occasions that bilateral relations hadn't changed," she added.
In a video footage released by Chinese Xinhua News Agency Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Malawian Minister for Presidential and Parliamentary Affairs Davis Katsonga shook hands on Dec. 28, after signing the joint communique in Beijing.
"How can we turn a blind eye to this?" said Vice President Annette Lu during an interview with local cable TV channel TVBS shortly after Malawi's announcement.
She lamented that no foreign minister has ever stepped down to assume responsibility for the loss of a diplomatic ally since the Democratic Progressive Party gained power in 2000.
"Democracy is based on the spirit of political accountability," she added, noting that the three diplomatic allies with which Taiwan had severed ties during Foreign Minister James Huang's term were all of great importance to the country.
"If nobody is held responsible, then anybody who becomes the minister will have it too easy," she said, hinting at Huang.
The official made the comment following the government's last minute decision Monday evening to break off diplomatic ties with Malawi after its 42-year African ally announced that afternoon it was severing ties with Taipei and establishing relations with Beijing.
"Malawi collaborated with China in hiding the truth during that period of time," said MOFA acting spokesperson Phoebe Yeh.
"The Malawi government and Malawi ambassador in Taipei gave assurances [to the ministry] on several occasions that bilateral relations hadn't changed," she added.
In a video footage released by Chinese Xinhua News Agency Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Malawian Minister for Presidential and Parliamentary Affairs Davis Katsonga shook hands on Dec. 28, after signing the joint communique in Beijing.
"How can we turn a blind eye to this?" said Vice President Annette Lu during an interview with local cable TV channel TVBS shortly after Malawi's announcement.
She lamented that no foreign minister has ever stepped down to assume responsibility for the loss of a diplomatic ally since the Democratic Progressive Party gained power in 2000.
"Democracy is based on the spirit of political accountability," she added, noting that the three diplomatic allies with which Taiwan had severed ties during Foreign Minister James Huang's term were all of great importance to the country.
"If nobody is held responsible, then anybody who becomes the minister will have it too easy," she said, hinting at Huang.
Cash transfer programme in Malawi changes the lives of families in extreme poverty
MCHINJI DISTRICT, Malawi, 14 January 2007 – Over the last 10 years, Blackson Kalinde and his wife Sara have lost three of their children and their children’s spouses to AIDS, leaving 20 of their grandchildren orphaned. The elderly couple soon became the primary caregivers for four of their grandchildren.
Although unable to work due to their age, they struggled to provide assistance to the remaining 16 grandchildren, as well as their surviving daughter and her six children. The Kalinde household remained in extreme poverty for years, barely surviving on less than 20 cents per person, per day.
“There was not enough food to go around,” Mr. Kalinde says. “Each one of us was able to eat only one meal a day. It was very difficult to care properly for the kids and provide them with everything that children need to grow.”
A new programme gives hope
Nearly two years ago, with support from UNICEF, the Government of Malawi launched a pilot programme called Social Cash Transfer (SCT) as a means to tackle poverty. To qualify, families must be labour-constrained and meet the criteria for being at the extreme poverty line, such as an inability to have more than one meal each day or purchase essential non-food items like soap, clothing and school supplies.
The Kalinde family soon learned that they met these requirements and were therefore eligible for the new social protection programme, which would offer approximately 2,600 kwacha ($19) per month to the family. Now, they live with hope.
“Although it is a very small amount,” says Mr. Kalinde, “the cash transfer has helped our life a great deal.”
One family's story
Malawi ranks as one of the world’s poorest countries, children living in desperate conditions characterized by low literacy, food insecurity and high rates of malnutrition – all exacerbated by a growing HIV/AIDS crisis.
Margaret (not her real name) is the mother of two sons and is living with HIV. When her husband died, she had nowhere to turn. She suffered stigma in her community and was too weak to work. Then Margaret found out that she was eligible for SCT, changing her life drastically.
After just over a year in the programme, Margaret has provided a house for her family, purchased school kits for her children and acquired livestock. She is now receiving antiretroviral treatment and feeling less tired. Using part of the money she receives every month, Margaret has even started a business selling fish in her village.
“The cash transfers have renewed my hope in the children’s future,” says Margaret. “In the past, I was worried all the time. Today I am able to send my kids to school with food in their stomachs and books in their hands. I know that with proper education they will be fine.”
UNICEF and the government are continuing to expand the SCT programme as these small sums of money transform how aid is distributed in Malawi.
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