UK announces additional K8bn to Malawi for hunger

The United Kingdom (UK)  Minister for the Department for International Development (DfID) James Wharton, who is on a three-day visit to Malawi,  has announced an additional £8.1m (approximately MWK 8bn) of funding to support the ongoing humanitarian crisis response.

This will enable the World Food Programme in collaboration with the private sector to provide maize vouchers for a further 760,000 people. The new package brings the total UK humanitarian contribution to £43.1m.

Minister Wharton made the announcement on Wednesday in Chikwawa, one of the districts worst affected by the crisis.

He said:“I came to see the situation in Chikwawa myself and how DFID and its partners are providing vital food to support vulnerable families. The UK is deeply concerned about Malawi’s prospects over the next few months. It is vital that the Government of Malawi responds with urgency.

“It is not enough to just deal with the current crisis: Malawi must deliver the reforms needed to break the cycle of recurrent food insecurity in the country.”

UK’s donation comes at a time World Food Programme (WFP), which is championing the food distribution exercise in the country, is now giving beneficiaries rations due to financial problems.

DFID has provided a total of £43.1m in response to the humanitarian crisis in Malawi.

This year’s hunger has affected 6.5 million people and the donation will benefit 760 000 people.

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