Act early to protect Malawi's children from El Niño, UNICEF urges, as US$5.54 million funding gap threatens preparedness

As Malawi and neighbouring countries gear up to face the strongest El Niño on record, UNICEF is calling for urgent, flexible funding so that supplies, services and partners are in place before drought, flooding and disease reach children.

Forecasters expect erratic rains, long dry spells and local flooding between October 2026 and March 2027. Already, 2.6 million people in Malawi face crisis levels of hunger, and cholera could return. Children and women will be hit hardest.

UNICEF Representative in Malawi, Dr. Penelope Campbell said.

“We can see this climate crisis coming, so we have a choice. If we act now, we can screen and treat children for malnutrition, keep water safe and keep children learning, before roads are cut off and before needs peak. Waiting would cost more in money, and in children's lives and futures," 

Children face many risks at once

El Niño threatens to make three existing dangers worse: hunger, floods and cholera. 

• Nutrition: Less food and poorer diets mean more young children with severe malnutrition. For a small child, repeated diarrhoea can quickly lead to severe malnutrition and death.
• Water and health: Drought dries up safe water sources. Floods contaminate water and destroy latrines. Both push families towards unsafe water, which spreads cholera and diarrhoea.
• Education and protection: Flooded or damaged schools can stop learning for weeks. Hunger and displacement increase children's risk of violence, exploitation, child labour and early marriage.

El Niño's full effects take around 18 months to unfold. Under a severe drought scenario, up to 6 million more people could need humanitarian help by the 2028 lean season, the months before harvest when food runs short. 

A plan to reach nearly one million people

UNICEF is supporting the Government's 2026/27 National El Niño Preparedness Plan, led by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs. Through this plan, UNICEF aims to reach 958,172 people directly in nine high-risk districts: Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Machinga, Mulanje, Mwanza, Nkhotakota, Nsanje and Phalombe. The plan includes: 

• Checking 571,323 young children for malnutrition and treating 17,831 children with severe malnutrition
• Providing safe water for 460,000 people
• Supporting 119,309 people with cholera response and basic health care
• Running temporary learning spaces for 20,000 children
• Providing mental health and emotional support for 30,000 children, adolescents and caregivers

Some supplies are already stored in warehouses in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Bangula. Partners and rapid response teams are ready in every priority district.  Further supplies are expected to arrive later this week. 

Early funding goes further

UNICEF Malawi needs US$7.61 million for its preparedness and response plan from August 2026 to March 2027. It has US$2.07 million so far, leaving a gap of US$5.54 million, or 73 per cent of the plan.   

“Acting early is better value,” added Dr. Penelope Campbell. “Every US$1 spent on reducing disaster risk saves up to US$15 in recovery costs. Every US$1 invested in nutrition returns about US$23. Flexible support now lets us prevent harm, not just respond to it." 

El Niño report: https://www.unicef.org/malawi/media/13761/file/UNICEF_Malawi_Act_early_2026-27.pdf.pdf

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Photos, b-roll and interviews are available on request.
• More information: www.unicef.org/malawi
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