Malawi: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi has assured those affected by natural disaster s including draught and cyclones that government will provide relief food through Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme and other means to address challenging food situation in many places in the country.
The Vice President made the assurance Tuesday in Zomba at Nasawa Community Ground, Traditional Authority Mbiza during 2024 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme monitoring as Department of Disaster Management Affair (DoDMA) distributed bags of maize to vulnerable households.
Dr. Usi said government is aware of the numerous challenges Malawians are facing as a result of unfavourable weather conditions.
“For three consecutive years, we have been hit by cyclones that have made the country food insecure. These cyclones have also exposed various challenges. Government is aware of all your challenges and be assured of governments support,” he added.
The Vice President however appealed to the communities to desist from irresponsible cutting down of trees to avert some of natural disasters, adding that some of the disasters that are persistently affecting the country are induced by human activities.
Commissioner for the DoDMA, Charles Kalemba said the department has enough food to distribute to affected households across Malawi through the Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme and other humanitarian assistance
“DoDMA is ready to support those affected from now till the time we feel the situation has improved,” he said.
Meanwhile, a special Malawi Vulnerable Assessment Committee (MVAC) is being conducted to come up with additional figures, according to Kalemba.
“Despite the MVAC report, we still feeding people that are in dire need of the support. This is why we are having another assessment so that we reach out to all vulnerable households,” he explained.
District Commissioner for Zomba, Reinghard Chavula said a total of 788 households were affected by Cyclone Chido and about 75,000 households are expected to benefit from the Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme.
The District Commissioner added that Zomba continues to experience effects of climate change such that there was fear that more households will be affected as unfavourable weather conditions continue.
“We salute government through DoDMA for the timely response. However, there are more people that need support,” she said.
Zomba is one of the natural disaster prone districts and for the past three years the district has been hit continuously with drought and effects of tropical cyclones.