WaterAid in Malawi

Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world’s least developed countries. 90% of the population live in rural areas and the population density is one of the highest in Africa with 85 persons per square kilometre. Until 1993 Malawi’s rural piped water schemes meant that over 90% of the taps were in working order. However, since then, systems have fallen into disrepair. It is now estimated that only 57% of the population have access to safe water. As a result, levels of water-related disease, such as cholera and typhoid are high. WaterAid opened a programme in Malawi in November 1999. In January 2004, 16 WaterAid supporters from across the UK were invited to see first hand the results of their fundraising.