UNDP to disburse MK37bn to Malawi by end of year – Clark

LILONGWE -The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) administrator Helen Clark said her organization would disburse a total of US$120m to Malawi for the country’s various interventions in the year.

Clark who was in the country for a 3-day-visit disclosed this at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe before her departure.

She said during her visit to Malawi she was impressed with the fruits of UNDP’s funding to Malawi government  saying when she gets back home she would strive to get more international support for Malawi’s various development programs.

“With UN system this year, by the end of the year we will disburse US$120m  in Malawi for various interventions,” said Clark, “We are around the fifth biggest development partner to Malawi and our own program at UNDP is growing quite fast,” she said.

The UNDP administrator noted that although she had come to Malawi at the time the country was facing a number of challenges, she was impressed by the hard working spirit of the people in the country and the wide range of resources which she said could translate to worth with support.

Clark, who had earlier toured UN programs at Kamuzu Central Hospital, said she had noted that the health facility faced many challenges but she expressed optimism that things would get better especially in the area of human resource.

“I went to the hospital which has a lot of challenges such as shortage of personnel, inadequate funding, and insufficient equipment and lack of space,” said Clark, “But we have very dedicated Malawians and UN Volunteers who are doing a very great job.

“I desire to see the latter not here forever doing the work; I desire to see them mentor and support the young Malawian doctors so that they can assume the roles throughout the entire hospitals in the country.”

Responding to journalists’ question on the stand of the UN on the Malawi Tanzania border dispute, Clarks said the UN hoped to see the dispute resolved peacefully with mediation of a regional or sub-regional organization.

“The question is who is best placed to facilitate, mediate or support dialogue between the two countries?” queried the UNDP administrator,

“Often the UN looks at the role of the regional or sub-regional organizations but it is important that we hear from both sides then encourage them to resolve the issue through dialogue – that is more than best option,”

She said the two countries had been so peaceful with each other for a long time and that the UN wanted the trend to continue.

The UNDP administrator flew into the country on Thursday on official 3-day visit and among other activities, she held audience with President Joyce Banda in Blantyre, toured Democracy Consolidation Programs (DCP) Lilongwe’s suburb of Mtandire and another one in Malomo, Ntchisi.

On Friday Clark also witnessed the signing of two agreements among the UNDP, Irish Republic and the Norwegian government to fund DCP and Human Rights Support program for the next years to the tune of MK1.4bn (US$4.5m.

CLARK SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS