Cholera Outbreak in Malawi: The Forgotten Crisis

The New Humanitrain reported last year that there were almost 100 more online news articles about the actor Will Smith slapping the comedian Chris Roach at the 202 Oscars ceremony than the humanisatrian crisis in Malawi. The crisis in Malawi has yet to get the press coverage to raise awareness in the natural disasters and cholera epidemic that has hit the country. 

The WHO has declared a public health emergency due to the recent cholera outbreak, which is now spreading at the same rate as the Covid-19 pandemic in Malawi. The country is facing severe food shortages and the outbreak is taking place in the context of the destruction and devastation of tropical storm Ana (January 2022) and Cyclone Gombe (March 2022), which caused floods leading to the displacement of a community with low pre-exisiting immunity that now lacks access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. To date, 6056 cases, including 183 deaths, have been reported, and children are the most vulnerable groups.

What’s happening in Phalombe?

EmbraceAbility is currently the only active NGO providing technical assistance in the district of Phalombe. We are providing support to the 13 villages who are facing severe food shortages due to their crops being destroyed by the storm and cyclone. Inflation and the cost of living crisis have driven prices up for basic goods such as maize by 35%; the average bag costs £26, and the average household income is £6 per month. 

Disabled households struggle to meet the additional costs of healthcare and providing care for their children with disabilities. Parents and carers have to decide whether to leave their children unattended or walk up to 3 hours to find food and water. A decision no one should ever have to make. 

Disability Inculsive Disaster Risk Management and Recovery 

Information about the cholera outbreak is not accessible for people with disabilities, and disabled households report that they are often negelcted in food and poverty programmes in the area. In a recent, survey conducted by EmbraceAbility, beneficiaries commented that they had been left out of food parcels and recovery programmes after the cyclone in 2022. 

EmbraceAbility aims to change this by working with disabled groups and community leaders to ensure water treatment and food parcels reach disabled households. We deliver each pack directly to disabled households and work with community leaders to ensure each family has accessible information about the cholera outbreak. 

So far, we have reached half our target, but we still have another £3,000. We would love to hear from you if you can help us by sharing this blog, donating or running a fundraiser.