Oxfam and the Evangelical Lutheran Development Services (ELDS) have provided financial assistance to vulnerable families in Chikwawa and Nsanje districts to help them meet the ongoing food crisis caused by drought and natural disasters.
In Chikwawa, 1,900 families received K140,000 each as part of the Integrated Emergency Response for El Niño Drought-Affected Communities. The money, distributed in three phases, will be K210,000 per household by April.
Oxfam Country Director Lingalireni Mihowa explained, “The money is being disbursed in three phases. K70,000 per month for February, March, and April. Today, communities received K140,000, covering February and March and they will receive the remaining K70,000 next month.”
She further stated that Oxfam secured K1.5 billion from Global Affairs Canada to address food shortages caused by the drought.
Beneficiaries, such as Esnart Kamonjola, a widow and mother of five from Nsangwe Village, expressed gratitude for the support.
In Nsanje, where 63,000 out of 107,000 farming households are in need of relief food, Mihowa appealed for the need for sustainable solutions.
“It is necessary to establish long-term strategies so that communities can become self-reliant,” she said.
Mihowa noted that the recurrent disasters, such as floods and droughts, continue to impact the district.
During a cash transfer event in Traditional Authority Mlolo’s area, where 1,800 families received K140,000 each, Nsanje District Commissioner Dominic Mwandira highlighted additional efforts to ensure food security.
“Apart from providing food and cash support from the government and organisations, the council has been encouraging irrigation farming so that people can have enough food,” he said.
The assistance aims at providing relief while fostering long-term resilience among affected families.
