The United States yesterday gave Malawi $27 million (K20 billion) in response to the food shortage that has affected about 2.8 million Malawians.
The development brings America’s total contribution to the humanitarian response to $55 million (about K41 billion) which represents about 44 percent of the K 92.7 billion the country needed to provide monthly food or cash ration to the startling population between October last year and April 2016.
In a statement issued yesterday by the US Embassy in Malawi, the American government said the support would fill the country’s immediate needs while also supporting preparations for the next humanitarian response which is in pursuant to discussions with President Peter Mutharika on steps to break the current food insecurity cycle.
“As with its previous donations, the United States has channelled its latest contribution of $27 million [K20 billion] through the United Nations World Food Programme [WFP],” said US Ambassador Virginia Palmer in the statement.
“This contribution underscores the United States’ dedication to assisting the people of Malawi as they generously host their neighbours during times of need,” she said.
Since 2012, the United States has provided over K71 billion of food assistance to Malawi in addition to activities being supported by US President Barack Obama’s Feed The Future and Global Climate Change Initiatives, the US Agency for International Development (USAid) valued at $25 million (about K18.8 billion) annually.
The support above is aimed at reducing food insecurity, poverty and under-nutrition by increasing agricultural production and helping communities adapt to climate change.
