| Synopsis: |
DFID is the largest single donor to Malawi and has provided GBP 312 million to the country between 2003-04 and 2007-08, representing 21 per cent of all aid received by Malawi. DFID has reduced the running costs of its operations in Malawi by 25 per cent whilst increasing its aid from GBP 54 million to GBP 70 million per year. Poverty and hunger have reduced in Malawi in recent years, and DFID has made well-informed choices on the design of its programme. However, only 61 per cent of the June 2008 targets were achieved on time with a further 14 per cent of these within the subsequent year. And programmes had weak measures of value for money. Programmes to improve health have been well designed and have contributed to positive trends in health outcomes of Malawians. Access to anti-retrovirals for AIDS patients has greatly increased and child mortality has shown sustained decline. Maternal mortality has fallen substantially from its peak in 2000, but has not recovered to 1990 levels. Greater DFID efforts to direct its support for health workers to areas of greatest need, and to secure improvement in drug procurement and distribution, would improve value for money.DFID has also contributed to increased food security, and rates of malnutrition have decreased and maize production has exceeded consumption. Addressing weaknesses in the targeting and timely distribution of coupons and fertilizer would improve value for money. |