By Brenda Nkosi.

Blantyre, October 17, Mana: As the country today commemorates the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, 51.5% of Malawians are still living in poverty, with 20.5% living in extreme poverty.

CONGOMA and World Vision International-Malawi, in partnership with the National Civil Society Taskforce on SDGs, said this on Thursday in Blantyre during a press briefing.

Reading the media statement, World Vision International Advocacy and Communication Manager, Charles Gwengwe said they have united to raise awareness of the progress, challenges, and the need for collective action to fast-track the achievement of the SDGs, particularly as they reflect on the global theme for this year ‘Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment Acting together for just, peaceful and inclusive societies.

"Malawi has made strides in some areas of development, but the overall progress toward achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals has been slow, and we face significant hurdles, particularly in eradicating poverty.

“The SDG 1 which makes sure we do away with poverty is lagging. 51.5% of Malawians are still living in poverty, with 20.5% living in extreme poverty. This high rate of poverty continues to limit access to essential services, including health, education, and nutrition,” he said.

Gwengwe said Malawi cannot afford to leave anyone behind in this race, especially the most vulnerable members of our society —children, women, and rural populations who are excessively affected by poverty.

Programmes Manager at CONGOMA, Simekinali Karuzi said with only six years left to achieve both the SDGs and the milestones set out in Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP)-1 of the Malawi 2063, there was a need to act with urgency and renewed determination.

“We are concerned with the rate at which we are implementing our development goals. We cannot wait for 2030 to find out that we have not done enough. We are calling on all stakeholders to renew their commitment to the SDG’s.

“We need to stop hiding behind natural disasters and Covid-19. Other countries experience natural disasters every year but their economy is not going down,” Karuzi stated.