What is the COVID-19 pandemic?

Since emerging in China in December 2019, the COVID-19 virus has spread throughout the world including Europe, America and Africa – where cases have been rising daily and many people have sadly died.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic on 11 March 2020. Apart from being a health crisis, the disease has also caused businesses to shut and many people to lose jobs and income – creating unprecedented economic and social pressure.

The situation in Malawi: a timeline

20 March 2020

President Peter Mutharika declared a State of Disaster because of COVID-19, although the country had not registered any cases at the time. Schools were closed, and group meetings and public functions were restricted to maximum 100 people.

2 April 2020

Malawi recorded its first three cases of COVID-19, leading to the government suspending all formal meetings, gatherings and conferences.

18 April 2020

Cases continue to rise with 16 cases recorded as of 18 April, leading to The Special Cabinet Committee on COVID-19 announcing a 21-day lockdown to control the spread of the disease.

Follow daily updates on the situation in Malawi

WaterAid Malawi’s response to COVID-19

We are supporting the efforts of the government in the fight against COVID-19. The response has mainly focussed on preventative measures, aimed at stopping the fast spread of the disease in the country.

We are collaborating with stakeholders including the Ministry of Health and Population, Lilongwe City Assembly, the District Health Offices in Dowa, Kasungu, Ntchisi, Zomba and Machinga, and their partners.

So far, we have done the following:

Equipment and supplies

Provided equipment and supplies to support good hygiene practices, especially hand washing, in public places and hospitals. This includes hands-free handwashing stations, soap and sanitiser, disinfectant and personal protective equipment.

Posters and leaflets

Intensified messaging about COVID-19 and good hygiene, and supported the printing of posters and leaflets in English and Chichewa for Ministry of Health and Population. These are being placed in health care facilities and markets.

Public service broadcasts

Produced radio jingles, radio slots and public service announcements in Chichewa to be broadcast for 30 days on public and private radio stations (Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, Times Radio and Zodiak Broadcasting Station) with a national reach.

Media coverage

Intensified sensitisation on COVID-19 and hygiene behaviour change through social media platforms, public address system, posters, leaflets, including extensive coverage of the activities in the local media (both electronic and print).

National response plan

Contributed to the development of a national-level WASH Cluster preparedness and response plan, which is guiding the operations of the government, various NGOs and other bodies in their response to COVID-19.

Trainings to medical and non-medical staff

WaterAid Malawi been conducting trainings to medical staff and 30 non-medical staff on infection prevention & control/WASH under the GIZ COVID19 Project

Our work in action

Our team has been working hard to distribute supplies and messages about good hygiene across seven regions of Malawi.

covid-19 training in Lilongwe WaterAid Malawi conducted a four day training to 30 medical staff and 30 non-medical staff of Bwaila Hospital on infection prevention & control/WASH at Bridge View Hotel in Lilongwe under the GIZ COVID19 Project Image: WaterAid/Laston Mzungu
covid-19 training to medical and non-medical staff in Lilongwe WaterAid Malawi conducted a four day training to 30 medical staff and 30 non-medical staff of Bwaila Hospital on infection prevention & control/WASH at Bridge View Hotel in Lilongwe under the GIZ COVID19 Project Image: WaterAid
WaterAid Malawi Country Director Mercy Masoo briefing Director of Health and Social Services Dr Zondwayo Ng’oma on how the handwashing facility works. WaterAid Malawi Country Director Mercy Masoo (left) briefing Director of Health and Social Services Dr Zondwayo Ng’oma on how the handwashing facility works. Image: WaterAid
Nalikule COVID-19 response To contain the spread of COVID19, 180 returnees from South Africa, with 18 children and 19 pregnant women among them, arrived at Nalikule TTC in Lilongwe for COVID19 screening. Image: WaterAid
COVID-19 information posters being put up on the back of cars. Posters on COVID-19 preventive measures were printed and distributed to local and main markets, hospitals and other public places across seven districts in Malawi. Image: WaterAid
Head of the Kang'oma Health Centre washing his hands Kang’oma Health Centre in-charge Frank Biziwiki washing his hands using the new hands-free facility provided by WaterAid Malawi. Image: WaterAid
Covid-19 handshake between the Mayor of Lilongwe City Council, Juliana Kaduya and WaterAid Malawi Country Director Mercy Masoo Mayor of Lilongwe City, Juliana Kaduya (left) receiving a bag of laundry soap from WaterAid Malawi Country Director Mercy Masoo. Image: WaterAid
WaterAid Malawi‘s staff members during a visit at Bwaila hospital. WaterAid Malawi‘s staff members during a visit at Bwaila hospital where they distributed various WASH items to curb COVID-19. Image: WaterAid