The Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM – Caritas Malawi) over the weekend distributed cash and fortified corn-soya flour for porridge to 200 hunger-stricken households with elderly persons and 75 persons with disabilities in Traditional Authorities (T/A) Ganya in Dedza and Chimutu in Lilongwe, respectively.

Caritas Slovenia supported the initiative following an emergency appeal by CADECOM – Caritas Malawi to address households affected by the food crisis in Malawi.

CADECOM is working in collaboration with Human Rights for Women and Girls with Disabilities in Malawi (WAG) and Integrated Centre for Women and Youth Empowerment (ICWYE) to support groups affected by hunger particularly children and vulnerable adults.  

Speaking after distributing cash and soy flour at Senti in Lilongwe on Saturday, CADECOM – Caritas Malawi National Coordinator, Chimwemwe Sakunda-Ndhlovu, said this is part of a national response targeting 3, 780 households with cash transfers and 44, 79 porridge beneficiaries nationwide.

“This is an ongoing intervention, which responds to the declaration of State of Disaster and appeal for donations President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera made in March 2024 following the El Nino that hit this country. As you can remember, President Chakwera called upon the international community, non-governmental organizations and people of goodwill to collaborate with his government in mobilizing financial and material resources for aiding households affected by natural disasters,” said Sakunda-Ndhlovu.

She stated that apart from the cash and food distribution, the Catholic Church in Malawi is also providing psychosocial support to the affected families to give them hope for a better future.

Community leaders under T/A Ganya in Ntcheu commended Caritas Malawi for mobilizing the resources, stressing that the assistance will go a long way in alleviating hunger among the underprivileged households.

“I wish to sincerely commended the Catholic Church in Malawi for undertaking various initiatives to uplift the welfare of the poor. This support will motivate the families to work hard in their fields because they have food in their homes,” said GVH Ganya.

But the traditional leader pointed out that more support is needed, stressing that the number of families suffering from hunger is quite huge in his area.

“The number of people having no food in their homes is very huge. I wish to appeal to the government and other organizations to come in and rescue us,” he said.