Malawi: Investment secured to improve drinking water from Shire River Basin

19 June 2012

Around $125 million (£85.75 million) is to be invested in improving the drinking water from Malawi's Shire River Basin in the coming years, a project that is likely to benefit up to 430,000 people, All Africa reports.

The Shire River Basin Management Programme was approved by the board of executive directors of the World Bank this week and will help the Malawi government's vision of managing its resources better.

Furthermore, it is hoped that the water can also be used to boost hydropower generation, as well as urban water supply.

Sandra Bloemenkamp, World Bank country manager for Malawi, added it will also see improvements in flood defence.

"The Shire Basin is very prone to floods that frequently disrupt livelihoods of thousands of people. So part of the planning activities will develop a weather, hydrologic, and flood forecasting and warning system for better climate resilience of the communities in the lower Shire," she added.

It comes after Malawi was also given money to construct a mini hydropower project last week.

Category: Water