[Malawi Aid - World Bank] pumps K5m to NGOs to fight poverty

from African News Dimension

By Hastings Mbewe

Blantyre (AND) The World Bank has given small grants to selected NGOs in Malawi totaling K5 million to be used in the fight against poverty.

Presenting the grants World Bank Acting Country Manager Constantine Chikosi said the civil society is so important to the bank as it has important alternative views that are worthwhile in the whole process of trying to improve the lives of Malawi.

However during discussion it was noted that the K5 million grant, was not sufficient to address the problem of poverty in Malawi. The civil society organizations were in a quandary as to whether the bank took into account the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) when deciding the grants. However others hailed the bank for the grant. “I feel that the World Bank has assisted most of us greatly,” said Benito Odala Elias Farmers Union executive director whose organization received K732, 200.