Dodma launches lean season food distribution

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) has launched the distribution of maize flour under the Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme targeting 12 districts across the country.

The launch took place on Saturday in six districts of Blantyre, Machinga, Mangochi, Lilongwe, Ntchisi and Dowa.

Speaking during the launch in Dowa, Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale said government is proactively putting in place deliberate efforts to ensure that people have enough food.

“The President has made it clear that he does not want anyone dying because of hunger, that is why government is securing funds to procure maize and maize flour to distribute to those in dire need, so they can have food all year round,” he said.

On his part, Dodma director of preparedness and response Moses Chimphepo said the relief response seeks to uplift the lives of individuals who have been affected by the hunger crisis.

“As a response to the current food crisis, Dodma through the ministry has been mandated to distribute maize flour at this time that various families, according to the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment report, have been categorized food insecure,” he said.

In an interview, Senior Chief Thotho of Traditional Authority Msakambewa in Dowa hailed government for the support.

“This is timely. Many households are currently facing acute hunger that has left them vulnerable, especially the old who are unable to fetch food. We thank government for coming to their rescue,” he said.

In Dowa, 29 333 households are expected to benefit from the maize flour relief programme which is targeting a total of 397 778 households in 12 districts for up to six months.

 Government has also included other programmes such as social cash transfer to assist those affected.

According to the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee report, at least 4.4 million Malawians face hunger this consumption season, representing 22 percent of the country’s population of about 20 million.

This year’s hunger crisis in Malawi has been worsened by Cyclone Freddy which affected most parts of the Southern Region in the 2023/24 growing season.

Experts have warned that the situation may worsen in the next consumption season as Malawi is facing El Nino weather conditions which have disrupted rainfall patterns, leading to below-normal precipitation and dry spells.