Irish government disclose a 10 million Euro aid package for Malawi

LOCAL TD and
Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power has travelled
to Malawi where he will open a new Irish Embassy in Lilongwe later on
today.

As well as presiding over the opening ceremony Minister
of State Power also announced an aid package of 10 million euro in
Irish Aid assistance for Malawi for 2008.

Minister of State
Power said that the opening of an Embassy in Malawi considerably
strengthens Irish bilateral relations and partnership in the area.

"Irish
Aid will finalise a comprehensive assistance strategy early next year.
This is a tribute to the commitment of the Government of Malawi to
reducing poverty and it is part of our joint effort to reach the
Millennium Development Goals."

He added that the 10 million
euro aid package would help vulnerable communities in Malawi to respond
to food insecurity and rising food prices.

"The interim
package of support for 2008 is very closely aligned with Malawi’s
national plan for poverty reduction. It will provide a firm foundation
for a multi-year programme of support to Malawi in the years ahead and
will allow the country to respond to key challenges, including in the
areas of agricultural production and rural development, to help offset
rising food prices," he said.

Earlier Minister of State Power had an opportunity to meet with the President of Malawi, His Excellency Bingu wa Mutharika.

Yesterday
he visited Khulumgira village in Dedza District where he saw at first
hand the benefit of funding from Irish taxpayers in improving food
yields among vulnerable communitie