Cadecom to support El-Nino affected families

Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has pledged to support families affected by the prolonged dry spells with cash transfers.

Zomba Diocese Bishop Alfred Chaima said this on Saturday in Zomba during a media briefing on food crisis response the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (Cadecom) organised.

Chaima, who represented ECM, said Malawi and neighbouring countries have in recent years faced persistent climate change-induced disasters that have come with devastating effects.

The bishop cited Cyclone Freddy the country experienced in March last year as one of the worst natural disasters.

“As people strive to recover from the devastating effects of cyclones and the dry spell, the country faces yet another imminent uncertain season due to El Nino,” he said.

Cadecom’s national coordinator Chimwemwe Ndlovu said the Food Crisis Project targets to reach out to 4 520 families with cash transfers of K100 000 to each household.

She said the funds aim to aid affected families to buy food during the current lean season.

“There have been detrimental effects on Malawi’s food production as the country is heavily dependent on agriculture with the majority in subsistence farming,” said Ndlovu.

With support from the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf), the K452 million project targets Chikwawa, Nsanje, Phalombe, Zomba, Machinga, Dedza, Nkhotakota, Dowa and Mzimba districts.

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs rolled out the implementation of the 2023/24 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme in October 2023