World Vision to disburse cash to 15 222 families
World Vision Malawi plans to disburse cash to at least 15 222 households in Chikwawa District to cushion them from the impact of hunger during the 2023/24 lean season.
Under the initiative, each household will receive K150 000 to buy maize for three months starting from January.
Speaking on Thursday during the function at St. Matthew Parish, Lundu Headquarters and Thundu Camp, World Vision Malawi food assistance manager Andrew Chimera said the exercise was part of their lean season response funded by the World Food Programme (WFP).
“World Vision Malawi is assisting 15 222 households, but I am glad to report that Chikwawa has overachieved in terms of beneficiaries,” he said.
Chikwawa District Council spokesperson Leah Malimbasa commended the initiative, saying it will cushion food-insecure people from hunger.
“We thank WFP for helping these families through World Vision Malawi,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Ellen Thebwe, 55, from Sekeni Village in Traditional Authority Lundu said she will use part of the funds to buy food for her family and support her children’s education.
She said: “I lost all the maize in my field due to prolonged dry spells and I have been relying on maize chaff [madeya] from nearby maize mills to feed myself and my two children.
“The cash is meant for three months, but beneficiaries are provided with 150 000 once off cash transfer; hence, the need to spend the money wisely because we will not receive it again.”
Under the 2023/24 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs is also distributing relief maize, flour and disbursing cash to food-insecure households in the country
