The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Malawi has officially handed over the first batch of ICT infrastructure support to the Malawi Parliament.

The procured ICT infrastructure and connectivity support is part of UNDP Malawi’s efforts to help ensure that key institutions in the country maintain critical functionality in an effective and safe working environment, amidst COVID-1

Malawi has so far recorded over 438 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and has progressively introduced measures to respond to and prevent spread of the pandemic, including movement restrictions and flexible working modalities.

The connectivity support aims to strengthen the ICT systems and infrastructure to maintain Parliament’s critical functionality during this time. Similar provisions to support key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are also currently being finalized.

Commenting on the initiative, the Resident Representative for UNDP Malawi, Shigeki Komatsubara, said, “Ccollective and multisectoral efforts are crucial in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Our support is to help ensure that key institutions are in compliance with all preventive measures that have been put in place, whilst ensuring that they continue to stay functional and serve the people of Malawi. Strengthening ICT infrastructure for key institutions is therefore a strategic engagement by UNDP for the sustainable development of Malawi”.

UNDP’s work is part of the larger United Nations system’s support for Malawi’s implementation of the National COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.

UNDP Malawi is also working on digital technologies and innovations with broad range of Malawian stakeholders to effectively fight COVID 19.