 Malawi OVERVIEWMalawi is one of the world’s 20 poorest countries. Over 40 percent of the population lives on less than a dollar a day, and the average Malawian can expect to live just 40 years due to HIV/AIDS, malaria, and malnutrition. USAID has provided assistance to Malawi since the early 1960s. Today, USAID primarily focuses on promoting Malawi’s political and economic development, improving the delivery of and access toLilongwehealth and education services, strengthening food security through agricultural investments, decreasing the country’s dependence on humanitarian assistance, increasing its ability to make positive contributions to security in the region, and participating in the global community more broadly. PROGRAMSGOVERNING JUSTLY AND DEMOCRATICALLY USAID’s strategy over the last several years has focused on reducing corruption, improving fiscal management, supporting election processes, and strengthening the role of civil society. USAID’s current work in Malawi is aimed at promoting good governance, rule of law and political competition. Specific efforts focuses on supporting the 2010 local elections, strengthening the capacity of Parliament and local councils to legislate, and improving the judiciary’s ability to adjudicate cases in a timely and fair manner. INVESTING IN PEOPLE: HEALTHUSAID aims to improve access to quality health care and encourage the development of strong health policies, planning, and management. Under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, activities promote treatment, offer care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS, and work to reduce new infections. USAID programs also fight malaria through the President’s Malaria Initiative, combat maternal and child mortality, improve reproductive health, support family planning to slow population growth, reduce tuberculosis, improve the nutritional status of vulnerable groups, and strengthen the overall national health care system. INVESTING IN PEOPLE: EDUCATIONWhile access to education has improved in Malawi since primary school fees were eliminated in 1994, the poorest students still face obstaclesand the quality of education must be improved. USAID responds to priority areas of need as set out by Malawi’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. These needs include strengthening basic education, building and reinforcing education professional development skills and capacity, providing technical assistance to help streamline and strengthen education management information systems, promoting the role of communities and their abilities to mobilize resources for improvement, and supporting the decentralization process within the education sector. ECONOMIC GROWTHAgriculture is the engine of Malawi’s economic growth, so USAID focuses primarily on agricultural development while incorporating elements of natural resource management and micro-enterprise. Through the Feed the Future Initiative, USAID promotes economic growth through agricultural development in rural communities, while food security is enhanced through household income generation, carefully targeted food aid, and activities like irrigation and crop improvements in line with the Malawi Green Belt initiative. USAID-supported activities also protect areas of environmental significance and address climate change concerns. Additionally, assistance resources strengthen the Government of Malawi’s disaster readiness through training, capacity building, and preparedeness activities. Back to Top ^ Back to Top ^ | 
