Real Time Evaluation (RTE) of COVID-19 Crisis Response in Malawi

This Real Time Evaluation (RTE) assesses UNICEF’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Malawi. UNICEF’s response plan included Infection and prevention control (IPC) and provision of critical medical and WASH supplies and services; Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE); Assessing and responding to the immediate secondary impacts of COVID-19; and continuity of health, WASH, education, nutrition and protection services. The MCO was able to respond rapidly by redirecting funds from the Country Programme (CP) and by mobilizing contingency supplies. UNICEF funding needs for its COVID-19 response amount to more than US$55 million. So far US$21 million has been received. 2 Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs) have been established with 11 civil society organizations (CSOs) to aid the response. Private contractors have been engaged for construction works in Emergency Treatment Units (ETU) while local manufacturers have been hired for community mask production. UNICEF co-leads the Nutrition, Education, WASH and Protection clusters and is a key partner in the Health cluster. It participates in all other clusters and in the inter-cluster coordination. The MCO actively participates in the National Emergency Operations Committee (NEOC) and promotes action to ensure a coordinated response at the national, district and community level. UNICEF has also led the supply portal to facilitate procurement and distribution of critical supplies for all stakeholders.