Malawi gets K12bn for El Nino relief

Malawi has received a $7 million (about K12 billion) boost from the United States Government to mitigate effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon.

The donation has been made through the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) and will be channelled through the World Food Programme (WFP) and United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef).

In an interview after making the announcement in Blantyre yesterday, USAid Malawi Mission director Pamela Fessenden said the money will help in responding to food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs emanating from El Nino effects.

She said: “This means two million households [nine million people] announced by the Government of Malawi, who have lost their crops due to the El Nino-induced drought during the 2023/24 agriculture season, will receive support.

“Specifically regarding WFP, this support will enable WFP provide unconditional cash transfers for food assistance to about 300 000 people affected by El Nino and 54 000 refugees and asylum seekers residing at the Dzaleka Refugee Camp, as well as help transport and deliver 10 000 metric tons of maize grain, donated to WFP by the Government of Malawi”.

Fessenden said Unicef, on the other hand, will help more than 60 000 Malawians, specifically children, with hygiene kits, safe drinking water and protection services.

In addition, she said Unicef will also reach out to approximately 10 000 severely malnourished children with ready-to-use therapeutic food.

Fessenden said USAid remains committed to working with partners at the forefront of providing emergency assistance during disasters.

“Just before arriving here [yesterday], I briefly met with the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee [Mvac]. Currently, the committee is conducting this year’s food insecurity assessment to generate numbers of people that will require humanitarian assistance.

“The work of Mvac is very important in guiding the humanitarian response and resilience building projects. This is why USAid also invests in financial and technical support in the process of ensuring that timely, independent information is generated for use by various stakeholders in Malawi,” she said.

Fessenden said the US government will, therefore, continue making investments in water, sanitation, nutrition, education, health, democracy and agriculture that will improve Malawi’s long-term resilience to such types of shocks.

Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) deputy director responsible for disaster preparedness Fedson Chikuse in a separate interview said the financial boost will reduce the amount needed to mitigate the impact of El Nino.

He said out of a $446 million budget needed to address the El Nino challenges, Dodma has so far sourced $14 million while well-wishers have pledged $64 million.

In a separate interview, WFP country director Paul Turnbull said they will ensure the funds are used for the intended purpose of assisting households who are in dire need.

The impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon compelled President Lazarus Chakwera to declare a State of Disaster in 23 out of the 28 districts.

So far, two million farming households were affected.