Churches Action in Relief and Development (Card) has rolled out a cash transfer programme to benefit 10 districts affected by El Nino weather phenomenon last year which resulted in dry spells that reduced crop yield.
The programme, under the Echo Hip Drought Response Project with funding from the European Union through Care Malawi, rolled out on Friday in Traditional Authority Ndamera in Nsanje District.
beneficiary. | Brian Itai
Card executive director Melton Luhanga said the project seeks to save people’s lives and improve household nutrition.
“The beneficiaries include pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, persons with disabilities and child-headed families,” he said.
Luhanga said the initiative is not just about disbursing money, but empowering communities to build their resilience amid climate change shocks.
He said at least 1 760 households will receive K92 500 each for three months.
Nsanje District Council data entry clerk John Madzifere said Nsanje is one of the districts often hit hard by disasters.
“People from this district work hard, but sometimes they are betrayed by the effects of climate change. They do not harvest as much as the efforts they invest,” he said.
Esnart Bizeck from group
village head Dick said she was pleased that she can afford to buy food for her child.
“Things are tough. This assistance is a huge relief for us,” she said.
Card is working under a consortium of organisations such as Self Help Africa, Save the Children, Care Malawi, Njira Impact, YouthNetwork Organisation, Eagles Relief and Development Programme and Catholic Development Commission in Malawi.
