Life-saving supplies arrive aboard UNICEF-branded Norwegian aircraft as Malawi prepares for El Niño

Malawi has received about 11.7 metric tonnes of essential supplies for children and families, delivered in Lilongwe on Tuesday aboard a UNICEF-branded Norwegian Air Shuttle aircraft, as the country steps up preparations for the humanitarian risks posed by El Niño.

The consignment, delivered through the Fill A Plane initiative, a partnership between UNICEF and Norwegian Air Shuttle, includes resuscitation kits, cholera treatment kits, early childhood development kits, school bags, recreation kits, latrine slabs, fetal heart monitors and infant weighing scales. Some supplies, including water containers and water tanks, will arrive later via shipment.

Receiving the supplies on Wednesday at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Minister of Education, Science and Technology Honourable Bright Msaka, S.C. said the support will strengthen health, water and sanitation, education, nutrition, and early childhood development services.

“School supplies will facilitate learning and improve learning outcomes. Life-saving supplies will help protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children. This contribution is an investment in education, preparedness, wellbeing, dignity and the future of our young people. This is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when government and partners work together with a shared vision of improving the lives of our children and securing the future of our nation,” said Msaka.

The supplies cover several areas critical to children as follows:

• Education: 6,500 school bags
• Safe water and sanitation: 250 latrine slabs 
• Health and emergency response: 120 foetal heart monitors, 30 basic resuscitation kits, and 40 kits for treating cholera and severe diarrhoea.
• Early childhood development and nutrition: 20 early childhood development kits and 24 infant weighing scales.
• Some supplies including 6,570 collapsible 10-litre water containers, 24 water tanks capable of holding 10,000 litres and 100 recreation kits will be arriving at a later stage.

The supplies were funded by the UNICEF Norway National Committee, with the flight provided by Norwegian Air Shuttle. They were dispatched from the UNICEF global supply and logistics hub in Copenhagen, Denmark, and are valued at approximately US$157,650, equivalent to NOK 1.5 million.

Acting early for children

The consignment comes at a critical time, as parts of Malawi face the prospect of below-normal rainfall, prolonged dry spells and erratic rains, while other areas are at risk of localised flooding, according to the 2026/27 National El Niño Preparedness Plan. These conditions could further strain food security and nutrition and disrupt access to safe water, health and education services.

UNICEF, the Government of Malawi and partners are pre-positioning supplies and strengthening services to respond quickly before needs escalate. UNICEF will distribute the supplies according to need, pre-positioning some for rapid response if El Niño-related shocks disrupt essential services.

Drought threatens safe water and nutritious food; flooding can contaminate water, damage sanitation, disrupt schooling and increase disease. UNICEF, therefore, integrates health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education and child protection in its preparedness.

Quotes

 “We can see the risks and act now. Preparedness means safe water, equipped health workers and continued learning during emergencies. This delivery puts practical support in place before children need it most,” said Dr. Penelope Campbell, UNICEF Representative in Malawi.

“Norway stands with Malawi and UNICEF. Beyond delivering supplies, this partnership helps communities prepare and protects children from climate-related shocks,” said H.E. Anne Sofie Bjelland, Ambassador of Norway to Malawi.

“UNICEF Norway’s partnership with Norwegian Air turns our supporters’ generosity into practical help for children. This delivery shows what partnerships achieve through early action,” said Ms. Maria Greenberg Bergheim, UNICEF Norway Executive Director.

“Our partnership with UNICEF goes straight to the heart of who we are at Norwegian. Being able to use our aircraft and aviation expertise to make a real, tangible difference for children is deeply meaningful to all of us. By delivering critical aid to Malawi in time, we are showing what we can achieve when we stand together for a cause that truly matters," said Mr. Geir Karlsen, Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Air Shuttle.

A long-standing partnership

Norwegian Air Shuttle has partnered with UNICEF since 2009. Fill A Plane uses passenger aircraft to deliver humanitarian supplies directly to countries where UNICEF works, translating partner and public support into results for children.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Photos are available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16LlhejQkbazS-AM_jfp8d1QMuWT23mA2?usp=sharing
• Video footage from the aircraft’s arrival and official handover is available upon request.
• Further information about UNICEF’s work in Malawi is available at www.unicef.org/malawi.
• Malawi’s 2026/27 National El Niño Preparedness Plan provides a national framework for preparedness, anticipatory action, response planning and resource mobilisation. The Government-led plan covers areas including health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, protection, agriculture and food security. 2026-2027 National El Nino Preparedness Plan
• All quotations should be approved by the respective speakers or their offices before publication.
• UNICEF Media Contact: Phillip Pemba – [email protected]