Alleviating the water crisis in Malawi

Water is essential for life on our planet but, as Elizabeth Mandala, communications and reporting officer at Islamic Relief Malawi, explains, not everyone has equal access and the effects of this can touch every area of a person’s life.

There is a popular idiom that says: “Water is life”. Water is certainly necessary for the survival of all living things; therefore, every living creature must have access to it. But I would also add that the quality of that water is vital.

The water crisis in Malawi has worsened with population growth and urbanisation. Environmental factors such as deforestation and climate change have also majorly contributed to water scarcity and the unavailability of clean water.

With the high cost of living, many households in both rural and urban areas do not have access to clean water. Many face challenges in accessing potable and clean water sources and so opt for free water, sourced from streams and shallow wells dug by community members. These sources are untreated and unregulated.

I happen to come from an area where water supply is very intermittent, so I have witnessed first-hand how challenging it is. In this situation hygiene and sanitation are seriously compromised.

Women and girls must often travel long distances several times a day, carrying heavy buckets, to collect water

Lack of access to clean water affects almost every aspect of a person’s life and, from my experience and observation, women and girls are affected more than any other group. In most cases women and girls are responsible for fetching water for their homes. A lack of suitable sites near communities means this is physically demanding and time consuming.

They often travel long distances several times a day, carrying heavy buckets to collect water to use at home for at least 2 days. Others opt to travel every day, collecting just enough water to last a day.

For young girls, there is a risk of sexual and other assaults when collecting water from remote areas. In some cases, girls also miss out on classes or end up not attending school at all to avoid punishment for running late.

Inadequate and unclean water supply

From March 2022 to May 2023, Malawi experienced the deadliest cholera outbreak in the country’s history. It affected over 50,000 people and left 1,210 dead, according to the Malawi Ministry of Health.
Since this disease, which is usually transmitted via contaminated water, resurfaced during the dry season, it was attributed to lack of adequate safe water and sanitation.

In September this year I met Aida, a 45-year-old woman from Traditional Authority (T/A) Machinjiri in Blantyre – one of the areas where Islamic Relief works. Aida has lived at T/A Machinjiri for over 30 years and has never had access to safe water from a borehole or a tap. Instead, she has relied on water from a shallow well or a stream.

Aida is one of many women in Malawi who has struggled with the challenges of collecting clean drinking water

This water is untreated, and Aida has suffered from waterborne diseases many times after drinking it. She has also spent many hours collecting water, leaving her with less time to spend financially supporting her family.

Her situation became even worse during the dry season. The well sometimes completely dried out and Aida was forced to travel up a hill to the main stream to fetch water.

It’s perhaps unsurprising that poverty levels are still high in Malawi when so many women and girls have to spend so much time making trips to fetch water.

Islamic Relief interventions

Islamic Relief is supporting communities by constructing and rehabilitating boreholes to help bring safe water closer to those who need it. During my time at Islamic Relief, I have witnessed the construction of 15 new boreholes and rehabilitation of 16 in Machinga and Blantyre districts.

Many members of the communities we serve have testified how the new and rehabilitated boreholes have changed their lives.

Water Point Committees have also been formed to look after the borehole, making sure hygiene is maintained in the surrounding area. If there is a defect, the committee is able to organise members of the community to repair the borehole.

In cases where community members were sharing 1 borehole with 7 primary schools, Islamic Relief is installing solar water pumps for the schools. This will reduce time spent by the students have to spend walking to fetch water during school hours.

As much as these interventions are taking place, there is still an outcry in the communities for more boreholes.

Please help Islamic Relief bring clean water to more communities across Malawi. Donate now.

Elizabeth is one of our regular bloggers. Each month, she’ll share stories of her work with Islamic Relief.

BROWSE OTHER OPINIONS

new director

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Nadeem Azhar

General Counsel

Nadeem joined Islamic Relief Worldwide in September 2022. He has worked in the charitable sector for over a decade.

He studied Modern History and Politics at Manchester University, and at the University of Law in London before qualifying as a solicitor in 2011.

Nadeem is an experienced corporate, commercial and governance lawyer, having worked with various faith-based and grant making charities as well those in health and education settings. He was a partner at a law firm in London before moving in-house where he focused on setting up and restructuring charities and social enterprises.

Most recently, Nadeem was Lead Counsel at Mind, a leading mental health charity, where he co-authored a new federation agreement, revamped legal processes, and played a major role in developing its strategic and fundraising partnerships.

Nadeem has been a charity trustee for the Seafarers Charity, as well as many grant-making bodies and theatre companies.

Adnan Hafiz

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Board of Directors
Javed Akhtar

Director of Finance

Javed Akhtar has more than a decade of experience at Islamic Relief, having worked in a similar role between 2003-2014. In that role he strove to implement wide-ranging financial and accounting processes which aided in the transparent nature in which Islamic Relief now operates.

Javed also has diverse experience across the private sector, having worked at American chemicals and pharmaceutical giant DuPont, shipping firm FedEX and technology consultancy company Accenture. In all his roles, he prioritises using the latest technologies to improve monitoring and reporting at every level. Javed’s commitment to embracing digital end-to-end technology, enhancing accountability to our stakeholders and promoting financial transparency is ensuring that we remain at the forefront of financial developments in the sector.

By training, Javed is a chartered accountant with a Master’s degree in NGO Management with Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Cass Business School.
Board of Directors
Affan Cheema  

Director of International Programmes

Affan Cheema is an experienced leader who has spent 25 years working in the international aid sector on poverty eradication in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He has worked in fast onset emergencies, protracted crisis and development environments whilst working for Islamic Relief Worldwide and Care International. He is also a trustee of South West International Development Network (SWIDN).

Through his career Affan has held numerous roles including institutional fundraising, programme and grant management, and programme quality assurance.  Affan’s leadership has helped Islamic Relief Worldwide secure the highly coveted Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), seen as the sector’s premier benchmark for operational excellence.

Affan completed his BA in Economics and Geography from University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) and his MSc in Development Administration and Planning from the University of Bristol. He is PRINCE2 qualified, is a keen sportsman and recently co-edited a book entitled -Islam and International Development: Insights for working with Muslim Communities-.
Board of Directors
Dr Hossam Said

Managing Director, Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD)

For nearly three decades Dr Hossam has provided the strategic vision to manage, lead and develop a range of international humanitarian interventions around the world.

At the start of his career, Dr Hossam served on the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, before moving to Islamic Relief Worldwide to manage the core global business activities as International Programmes Director.

During this time the organisation increased its global reach, gaining both domestic and international repute and credibility. Dr Hossam has also served on the Islamic Relief Worldwide Board of Management and Executive Committee for the past 15 years; sharing responsibility for strategic organisational development and the change management process, whilst forging strong relationships with many other charities.

Dr Hossam gained an MBA from Aston Business School in 2004 and graduated as a Medical Doctor from Cairo University in 1981.
Board of Directors
Martin Cottingham  

Director of External Relations and Advocacy

Martin Cottingham joined Islamic Relief in 2012 as IRUK Media Relations Manager, and was appointed Head of Communications in 2015 before taking up his current position as Director of External Relations and Advocacy for Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Martin has helped Islamic Relief to increase its mainstream media profile and expand its campaigning work, producing hard-hitting advocacy reports on floods in Pakistan (2011) famine in Somalia (2012) disaster risk reduction (2013) and aid to Afghanistan (2014). He has over 20 years’ experience working in media, communications and marketing roles for international development and environmental charities.

Martin graduated from the University of London with a degree in English and Drama (1982-85) then trained as a journalist with a postgraduate diploma at City University (1986-87). He has previously worked for Christian Aid as Editor of Christian Aid News and Media Relations Manager (1988-97) for Oxfam as Regional Campaigns Manager (1997-2000) and at the Soil Association as Marketing Director (2001-2006), as well as working for a wide range of organisations as a freelance writer, researcher and communications consultant.

Tufail Hussain

Director of Islamic Relief UK

Tufail Hussain has 17 years’ experience in the humanitarian and development sector, leading on marketing and fundraising campaigns for several organisations before joining Islamic Relief UK in 2016 as Deputy Director. Tufail was appointed Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2019 and in 2021 provided valuable leadership as interim CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Tufail is driven by a passion for empowering disadvantaged youth and mentors a number of young people. He also works to strengthen engagement between British Muslims and wider society. Under his leadership, Islamic Relief UK has significantly increased its income and developed successful partnerships with communities across the country. He has travelled around the world to raise awareness of major emergencies such as the Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan crises and the floods in Pakistan and Sudan.

A father to 5 daughters and a son, Tufail is also a sports enthusiast and passionate Liverpool FC supporter. Tufail has run the London Marathon twice, raising over £35,000 for humanitarian causes.

Before joining Islamic Relief he was CEO of Orphans in Need, where he oversaw a new strategy that increased income from £2 million to £9 million in 3 years and opened up new UK and international offices. Tufail is also a trustee of the Muslim Charities Forum and a Director of TIC International (Islamic Relief Worldwide’s clothes recycling and trading arm).
Waseem Ahmad

Chief Executive Officer

Waseem Ahmad joined the Islamic Relief family over 24 years ago, serving as Programme Officer in the Balochistan province of south-western Pakistan before becoming Head of Programmes in Pakistan. Waseem then moved to Oxfam and Tearfund before returning to Islamic Relief to establish our mission in Malawi. Later serving as Head of Programme Funding and Partnerships, Waseem led the response to major crises across the globe, including the East Africa drought, Pakistan earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Waseem then served for nearly 6 years as our Director of International Programmes, during which time the charity secured and retained the coveted Core Humanitarian Standard certification in recognition of the quality of our programming. He was appointed CEO of Islamic Relief in May 2021.

With a special interest in community mobilisation and infrastructure, Waseem received an MSc in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford, as well as an MSc in Economics from Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Waseem has also worked for Lepra Health in Action and is a member of the International Civil Society Centre’s Board of Trustees. The father-of-3 enjoys walking and playing football, and is a keen birdwatcher.