Malawi Marks World Humanitarian Day with Call for Stronger Solidarity and Local Empowerment

August 14, 2025
A large group of diverse people standing together outside a building, smiling.

Humanitarian partners, government officials, and community leaders marked World Humanitarian Day in Lilongwe and also advanced discussions on Disaster Risk Management in Malawi.

Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA).

Humanitarian partners, government representatives, and community leaders gathered in Lilongwe on Thursday, 14 August 2025, to have an early commemoration of World Humanitarian Day (WHD) under the theme Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities

The event also offered a platform for stakeholders to discuss the implementation of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Malawi.

UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Fenella Frost.

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Fenella Frost, expressed that the message was clear: "Being humanitarian is not only about what we do, but who we are. It is about compassion, courage, and the conviction that we are stronger together."

World Humanitarian Day, observed annually on 19 August, honours humanitarian workers who risk their lives to save others and commemorates those who have lost their lives in service to humanity. The day also shines a light on the urgent need to strengthen prevention, preparedness, and resilience in communities most affected by crises.

Malawi continues to face multiple humanitarian challenges, including the devastating impact of Tropical Cyclones Ana and Freddy, recurring floods, prolonged droughts, food insecurity, and public health emergencies. Despite these, the country has witnessed extraordinary acts of courage and solidarity from frontline workers, volunteers, and community leaders.

"True resilience comes from within; from strong local systems, inclusive planning, and meaningful participation," the UN Resident Coordinator’s message emphasised, calling for investment in grassroots organisations, youth and women’s groups, and local innovators.

A conference setting with attendees seated at tables, engaging in discussions.

During the DRM stakeholder engagement, participants reviewed projects, shared lessons, and discussed strengthening coordination across levels and sectors.

During the DRM stakeholder engagement, participants reviewed ongoing projects, shared lessons learned, and discussed scaling up coordination both vertically, between national and local levels, and horizontally across sectors. The discussions reaffirmed the importance of robust partnerships between governments, international organisations, and local communities to ensure that disaster risk reduction and humanitarian efforts are effective and inclusive.

The commemoration concluded with a unified call to action:

  • Strengthen coordination between international and local actors

  • Invest in long-term resilience solutions

  • Champion local leadership in humanitarian planning and implementation

  • Keep people at the centre of every response