Malawi President Orders Immediate Sanitation Measures Amid Cholera Surge. LILONGWE, Malawi — President Peter Mutharika has issued an Executive Order to address the escalating sanitation and hygiene crisis in Malawi, following a resurgence of cholera cases.
The order, dated March 1, 2026, underscores the government’s urgency to combat waterborne diseases linked to poor sanitation.
According to local reports, Order Number 2 of 2026 directs authorities and institutions nationwide to implement immediate measures to reduce risks associated with waterborne diseases.
The directive emphasizes the need for adequate waste disposal facilities in public areas, educational institutions, and workplaces. “All public areas, including markets, bus depots, parking lots, recreational facilities, and venues for public gatherings, must provide and maintain adequate waste disposal facilities,” the order states.
“All educational institutions and workplaces, whether public or private, are required to provide and maintain waste disposal facilities both within and around their premises.
” Mathews Malata, an environmental rights activist and champion of Malawi 2063 Environmental Sustainability, welcomed the move. He highlighted the need for systemic changes and sustainable financing to ensure the order’s success.
Public health authorities have reported a concerning increase in cholera cases.
As of February 23, 2026, Malawi had recorded 102 confirmed cases, including eight epidemiologically linked cases and two fatalities since the first case was identified on December 11, 2025. Health experts warn that without sustained improvements in sanitation infrastructure, public awareness, and enforcement mechanisms, the country risks further outbreaks, particularly during the rainy season when contamination of water sources becomes more likely.
The Executive Order is one of the first decisive public health interventions of 2026, reflecting the growing urgency within government circles to curb preventable disease outbreaks and strengthen Malawi’s environmental health systems. Further details are expected as the government works to implement the new measures and address the ongoing public health crisis.
