Malawi Network of Older Persons Organizations (MANEPO) in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) distributed 50 kgs maize bags to the to residents affected by El Niño. The donation was made at Yesya Village in Mdeka under T/A Chigalu on Tuesday
The relief programme which began in September targeted 17,000 families, first providing each family with MK70,000 and then maize and on Tuesday, MANEPO wrapped up the project, reaching out to the remaining 106 families.
MANEPOs Acting Humanitarian Manager, Maria Masiye said the food assistance aims at mitigating hunger among the affected households.
“We started in September and today were concluding the distribution, this food is crucial for families affected by El Niño, which disrupted their crop production, leaving them without sufficient food,” she said.
MANEPOs Acting Humanitarian Manager, Maria Masiye asked the recipients of the donation to remain vigilant. The beneficiaries may be at a risk of threats from others within the community who were not chosen as beneficiaries.
The risk is significant, especially for the elderly population of the country.
Yesaya Village Civil Protection Committee Secretary, Wyson Namukoloma thanked the MANEPO and partners. She said that their support and intervention was most timely in light of the crisis that the community was facing.
“People here have been relying on mangoes as their primary source of food. So, together with MANEPOs support we ensured that the distribution process was transparent and fair,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Susana John expressed gratitude, confessing that she initially had doubts about the aid.
“When they registered us, I thought it was just another list with no action but now, I have maize to sustain my family and Im truly thankful,” John said.
The programme for the distribution of food items will be organized for the benefit of the people until February 2025. The programme has previously helped in extending food support to the families in traditional authorities Kuntaja and Lundu.
The support of the Malawi Network of Older Persons Organizations (MANEPO) and partners World Food Programme have been helping communities in combating food shortages and crisis