PPAF to assist Malawi in poverty reduction efforts

June17, 2008

Malawi Social Action Fund (MASAF) has agreed in principles to enter into a wide-ranging partnership arrangement with Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) to seek technical co-operation from PPAF experience in water management, infrastructure, social protection, social mobilization and drought mitigation & preparedness programs and from other PPAF interventions for poverty mitigation.

A four-member delegation from Malawi comprising Charles Elias Mandala, Acting Executive Director of MASAF, Harry Khumbo Sangwani Mwamlima, Director of Social Protection, Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Cyrus Greyson Jeke, Ministry of Women and Child Development and Paul Weston Chipeta, Programme Advisor MASAF called on CEO/MD PPAF Kamal Hyat to exploring potential for provision of assistance and advisory services.

Mr.Kamal Hyat remarked that PPAF would share its skills and technical expertise with MASAF for poverty reduction activities. He said that PPAF would facilitate MASAF in strategic areas as well. Later the delegation visited PPAF Water Management Centre (PWMC) and attended a briefing by Mr.Zaffar Sabri, General Manager PWMC.

The Government of Malawi established MASAF in 1996 with an objective to promote employment creation and provide social and economic infrastructure. The project aims at empowering individuals, households, communities and their development partners in the implementation of measures which can assist them in better managing risks associated with health, education, sanitation, water, transportation, energy and food insecurity and to provide support to critically vulnerable persons through funding of a variety of sustainable interventions.

A delegation from Malawai Social Action Fund (MASAF) attending a briefing at PPAF