By Pemphero Malimba:
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) is searching for K88 billion to help about six million Malawians who are grappling with El-Nino induced hunger across the country, The Daily Times has learned.
Speaking after appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Dodma Director of Preparedness and Response Moses Chimphepo said they have, so far, mobilised K190 billion.
“We are still mobilising the resources but our main goal is to ensure that we should reach out to all those in need of support,” Chimphepo said.
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He said the government was working with World Food Programme (WFP) and other players to effectively mobilise the resources.
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“We believe that these resources will be found and we will be able to roll out the programme between September and October,” he said.
According to Chimphepo, beneficiaries of the programme would receive support in the form of food and money through social cash transfer for a period ranging from three months to six months.
He disclosed that procurement processes for maize were underway.
“We are procuring the maize through NFRA [National Food Reserve Agency] and Admarc (Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation). WFP is also using resources mobilised from various partners and is also procuring maize so that we are able to move forward and distribute the food to those in need of it,” he said.
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On his part, committee chairperson Sameer Suleman urged Dodma to do its best to ensure that the resources are mobilised.
“We need to see Dodma doing more in terms of preparing for looming hunger and unstable maize prices. Dodma has been given funds and if they prepare well, then Malawians will be cushioned from challenges,” Suleman said.
Early this year, President Lazarus Chakwera declared a State of Disaster in 23 out of 28 districts of the country following devastating effects of El-Nino.
The weather phenomenon led to dry spells and floods, twin factors that have culminated in a poor harvest.
A recent Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee report revealed that 5.7 million people across the country face hunger between October 2024 and March 2025.
The development has left the authorities in a situation where they have to procure at least 261,000 metric tonnes of maize to carry out the food response programme, translating to K278 billion.
