Germany has stressed the need for the Malawi government to sustain social protection programmes by increasing its contributions, as currently, 94 percent of the funds come from development partners.

Germany's envoy to Malawi, Ute König, stated that social protection is a human right aimed at addressing social welfare needs and creating inclusive policies to support vulnerable populations, even during natural calamities.

König commended the cabinet committee for discussing the review of policies and strategies on programmes that support vulnerable populations.

However, she highlighted the need for the government to contribute more for sustainability, as currently, 94 percent of the funds are from the donor community.

"Social protection can help lift people out of poverty, especially women and girls, and can have a huge effect on the national economy. We need more and more funds, and of course, we want the government of Malawi to also contribute more," she said.

The Malawi government is currently only supporting Thyolo district with the Social Cash Transfer Programme out of the 28 districts in the country.

After launching this year's Social Protection Week in Thyolo on Tuesday, Minister of Gender and Community Development, Jean Sendeza, noted that despite easing the lives of vulnerable citizens, the interventions face glitches due to the Unified Beneficiary Register (UBR).

Sendeza insisted that the government is trying to invest in social protection interventions since they are easing the lives of vulnerable citizens.

"As the government, there is maize that is being distributed and the AIP that is there, and all other programs apart from the 94 percent that the donors are pumping in," Sendeza said.

Thyolo District Commissioner Hudson Kuphanga stated that various social protection programmes have transformed the lives of at least 19,000 families since 2013.

Since 2006, the government and development partners have been implementing Social Cash Transfer (SCT), school feeding, nutrition, and Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programmes (CSEPWP) to aid ultra-poor Malawians.