Written question asked by Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour) on Monday, 9 January 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 January 2023. It was answered by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 January 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Malawi: Cholera

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support he has offered to the Government of Malawi on (a) the ongoing cholera outbreak in that country and (b) the impact of that outbreak on education.

Answer: The UK is monitoring the worsening cholera outbreak in Malawi and has allocated £500,000 towards the Government of Malawi's response. This will contribute to the establishment of community oral rehydration points, provision of urgent cholera supplies, strengthening measures to prevent spread of cholera, rapid water testing, and repair and treatment of boreholes. In addition, the UK has funded the deployment of technical support and provided funding to support the response in refugee camps. Schools have closed for at least two weeks in Blantyre and Lilongwe districts and this will negatively impact education. As part of COVID, the Global Partnership for Education (to which the UK is the main donor) had funded boreholes for handwashing in schools and the UK is working with partners on the steps needed to re-open schools while keeping children safe.

Secondary information