Malawi

Supporting the Malawi Defense Force to Reduce HIV Infections and Provide Treatment & Support

Global Communities, then operating as PCI, worked with the Malawi Defense Force between 2009-2019 to control the HIV epidemic in the military setting and in surrounding communities. We delivered prevention strategies, testing, treatment and care and support in all 13 Malawi Defense Force units across the country, reaching 38,277 military personnel and civilians in and around the military bases. This nationwide program included engaging chaplains for disseminating HIV/AIDS prevention messages to youth and couples; moonlight HIV test services in high-risk “hotspots” for HIV transmission; mentoring clinical health care providers; self-help groups for people living with HIV, focusing on empowerment, prevention, and care and support; training HIV-positive military personnel as peer educators to strengthen prevention efforts among soldiers and their families; creating demand for male circumcision; utilizing Theatre for Development; training of gender-based violence champions; and supporting adolescent and young women to stay HIV-free. Through this program, Global Communities helped reduce the incidence of HIV and prevalence of other sexually transmitted infections as well as provide care and treatment for HIV infected and affected defense personnel, their families and surrounding communities. (closed in 2019)

Supporting Recovery and Building Resilience with Sanitation & Hygiene Improvements

Cyclone Idai hit Malawi in 2019, causing severe weather and flooding that destroyed latrines, homes, water supply systems and other public infrastructure. Although water was available, quality and quantity were severely compromised, and the lack of latrines increased open defecation, compounding issues with water quality. Global Communities, then operating as PCI, responded with funding from the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) to expand access to clean water, improve hygiene and sanitation, and help prevent the outbreak of water-borne disease among flood-affected households in Machinga and Zomba districts. From 2019-2020, Global Communities constructed 14,000 household latrines, rehabilitated 209 boreholes, reached over 65,000 people with improved sanitation services and provided over 150,000 people with clean water. With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, OFDA provided additional funding for Global Communities to integrate COVID-19 prevention strategies into existing activities. We reached an additional 43,500 people with improved sanitation services and over 52,100 people with clean water. Between 2019-2020, significant and meaningful improvements were made in access to water, sanitation and hygiene in Machinga and Zomba districts. Awareness campaigns through government and community-based structures promoted hygiene and sanitation practices, and we worked with communities to construct simple, permanent pit latrines that can withstand adverse weather conditions, ensuring access to and sustainable use of improved sanitation in the face of future disasters. (closed in 2020)