Seed Global Health and Rockefeller Foundation to Advance Health Initiatives in Malawi

BOSTON | March 3, 2025 ― Seed Global Health (Seed) is proud to announce new support from The Rockefeller Foundation to address the critical health impacts of climate change in Malawi. This project seeks to develop a streamlined, accessible, and affordable vulnerability and adaptation assessment (VAA) process, providing a rapid and cost-effective toolkit for less-resourced countries seeking to enhance the resilience of their health systems to the impacts of climate change.

A key focus of this project is to design and pilot a VAA in Malawi with the Ministry of Health, which will not only recommend adaptation strategies for Malawi’s National Health Adaptation Plan, but also generate valuable lessons on how this tool can be adapted and applied in other countries facing similar climate -related challenges.

“The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue; it’s a full-blown health crisis. The very air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat are under threat. This is particularly devastating for vulnerable developing nations like ours. Addressing climate change is not just about saving ecosystems; it’s about protecting the health and well-being of current and future generations,” said Malawi’s Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda. “Investing in climate-resilient health systems, such as the VAA, is not only a moral imperative but also a practical economic strategy, as it helps identify risks and prioritize interventions.”

Cyclone Freddy in 2023 caused a surge in cholera cases, affecting over 2.2 million people and placing unprecedented strain on Malawi’s healthcare system. The outbreak overwhelmed already limited health resources, with facilities struggling to manage the increased patient load amid disruptions to water, sanitation, and infrastructure. The shortage of skilled healthcare workers further exacerbated the crisis, hampering efforts to contain the disease and provide adequate care.

“Climate change is disrupting every facet of human life, significantly harming health and limiting the ability of health systems to protect the wellbeing of vulnerable communities. Evidence-based planning is essential to ensure health systems are equipped to respond effectively to these impacts. The rapid VAA approach in Malawi will demonstrate how countries can quickly generate actionable data to guide timely decisions, build resilience, safeguard health and protect lives,” said Gerishom Gimaiyo, Director of Health, Africa Regional Office, The Rockefeller Foundation.

A VAA toolkit can provide the necessary resources to strengthen Malawi’s crisis response capabilities as well as build resilience to protect the health and well-being of its population.

“The VAA toolkit will equip Malawi to address more dynamic and integrated challenges, including climate resilience and integrated health workforce strategies. We are proud to receive support from The Rockefeller Foundation to support Malawi’s Ministry of Health in their climate and health response and resilience efforts,” said Anda Nyondo, Seed Global Health country director in Malawi.

Seed is committed to long-term investments in health systems and the health workforce to address health equity gaps, mitigate the effects of climate change, and safeguard against future pandemics.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn and LI @the-rockefeller-foundation.

About Seed Global Health

Seed Global Health was founded on the belief that sharing knowledge saves lives. The doctors, nurses, and midwives who have been educated and trained with support from Seed and its partners go on to share their learnings with colleagues old and new, helping to grow and strengthen the health workforce around them. They are the “seeds” of change for transforming health systems over time. Seed achieves its mission by partnering deeply to strengthen the health systems in the countries where it works, with a special focus on strengthening the professional health workforce.