K11.2bn committed for food relief

Malawi’s Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu on Friday said donors have committed to provide £20 million (about K11.2 billion) for relief food for the 2013/14 fiscal year when hunger is projected to hit about 1.5 million people across the country.

Speaking at a news conference in Lilongwe, Kunkuyu said government has about 70 000 metric tonnes of maize in its reserves, saying it is working to fill the remaining deficit of less than 50 000 metric tonnes to avert a hunger crisis.

“We are getting a lot of maize and no one will suffer. There is also £20 million [about K11.2 billion] for the purchase of maize. It will go through the World Food Programme and that maize is for Malawi, to be bought in Malawi and used in Malawi. That money is strictly coming from donors. Admarc is still buying maize as of now to increase maize stocks,” said Kunkuyu.

He said government’s decision to ration maize sales in 10kgs quantities is meant to prevent vendors from draining maize stocks in Admarc markets, saying recent government research has shown that an average rural Malawian only buys up to 10kgs of maize from Admarc.

“We want to address the issue of vendors coming to buy maize from Admarc and exporting it to other countries. The rationing will in no way kill Malawians. We are also working with the police to intensify the patrols and checks in the borders and all uncharted routes which people use to export maize illegally.

“Whatever maize will be found to be transported outside the country will be donated to places like hospitals,” said Kunkuyu.

He said government is currently rehabilitating silos which are reported to have leakages so that no maize is rotten in the silos.

He said the previous 30 000 tonnes of maize which was reported rotten only got discoloured and has been sold to other users.

Kunkuyu also said government expects maize prices to remain low and not skyrocket.

“As it is now, we expect the price of maize to remain as it is. In fact, in the Sadc region, Malawi is the only country with the lowest prices of maize. As such, we expect that there will be demand for our maize to go outside for those who want to maize profits. That’s why we are putting in measures to prevent that from happening,” he said.

Recent Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) findings show that about 60 000 metric tonnes of maize worth about K7.2 billion will be needed to address hunger that is projected to hit about 1.5 million people in 21 districts across the country.

MVAC projects that the Northern and Central regions will be the hardest hit by hunger this year because they have realised lower than expected harvests due to a mixture of late onset of rains, early cessation of rains, erratic rains, prolonged dry spells and flooding.