Climate change 'causing disease and poverty in Malawi'

Africans Climate change is causing people in Malawi to fall further into poverty, a charity reports.

According to Oxfam International, changes in atmospheric conditions in the African nation have caused droughts and floods, which in turn have led to shorter crop growing seasons, hunger and disease.

Some 29 per cent of Malawi already lives in extreme poverty.

Oxfam Malawi country director Sanjay Awasthi said: "Climate change is hitting poor countries like Malawi first and worst and people are suffering, especially women.

"Climate change is exacerbating the inequalities that already exist for women in Malawi."

Women in Malawi hold a weak position in society and are expected to fetch food, water and firewood daily, according to the charity.

The Oxfam report calls for the world's wealthy countries, which are responsible for three quarters of global climate change, to slash emissions and provide food aid to Malawi.

Infant mortality stands at 13.4 per cent, while as many as a million individuals are living with HIV/AIDS in the country.