A rapid appraisal of the orphan situation in Malawi: issues, challenges and prospects

The HIV/AIDS epidemic poses a very serious social, health, and economic problem around the world, and is especially serious in Sub-Saharan Africa. Almost all families in Malawi have lost a loved one to AIDS. The productive age group of 15-49 years is the most affected. Of the many vulnerable members of Malawian society, young people who have lost one or both parents are among the most helpless. This is particularly true where few social support systems exist and where basic social services are largely inadequate.
Although only 10 per cent of the world’s population is located in sub-Saharan Africa, more than 70 per cent of the estimated 34.3 million people living with HIV and AIDS are in the region (UNAIDS, 2000). Of the estimated 13.2 million AIDS orphans, more than 90 per cent are in Sub-Saharan Africa with the Southern African region bearing the brunt of this figure (SAPES-UNDP-SADC, 2000).

The main purpose of this paper is to give an appraisal of the orphan situation in Malawi as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Specifically, the paper focuses on five major areas:

• the magnitude and impact of HIV/AIDS in Malawi
• the care and support of orphans in Malawi
• the national orphan policy and programmes in Malawi
• the challenge of increasing number of orphans in Malawi and
• what should be done to assist this group. 

The study provides an initial analysis of the current situation and likely future impacts of the epidemic on the orphans. On ths basis of this analysis, it presents a series of recommendations about what should be done in the short-medium term. It also provides pointers for research that may lead to developing a well-conceived, relevant and detailed a well-conceived, relevant and detailed strategic response to the
crisis.