By Chancy Namadzunda

The British government has set aside K55 billion (about 225million pounds) to end poverty in Malawi which has 40 percent of its population of 13.1 million living below the poverty line of less than $1 a day.

The aid, shown in the Department for International Development (DFID) five year plan ending in December 2011, 85 percent of the aid goes directly into government basket.

“DFID is working with the Malawi government to improve governance, to promote further growth, poverty reduction, accelerate progress in health, education and access to safe water,” reads part of the plan.

The report further says Malawi is off track to meet Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on maternal mortality and primary school enrolment although it has excelled in reducing HIV and Aids prevalence rate and increased access to safe and portable water.

It says 4 000 women die every year due to pregnancy related complications with one doctor for every 30,000 people, 930 000 people live with HIV or AIDS, less than two thirds of women are illiterate.

“20 percent of 6-13 year olds are still not in school and only 35 percent complete eight years of primary education,” says the report.