Government on Monday signed two agreements with the European Union, for additional funding worth K34.8 billion for  the Social Support for Resilience Program (Sosure) and the Afikepo Nutrition Program.

According to the Acting Ambassador and Head of Development Cooperation at the EU Delegation, Ivo Hoefkens, the funds are aimed at supporting the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. “Together, these members of Team Europe have put together a 60 million Euro package of measures to support Malawi in addressing its short-term needs, as well as the longer-term structural impacts on society and the economy.”

Signing on the donation, Finance Minister, Felix Mlusu, hailed the EU and its member states for making these resources available to the Government of Malawi to implement the programs. Months ago, Malawi and the European Union (EU) have signed a 55 million euro (about K45 billion) financing agreement to implement Zantchito Program, which is aimed at providing skills for jobs. The Zantchito initiative is a brainchild of the ministries of Labour and Industry to improve workforce qualifications and access of Tvet graduates to employment, as Minister of Finance Felix Mlusu outlined that the program is aimed at satisfying the economy’s need for skilled professionals.