Malawi needs US$30 million towards food aid

The Malawi government has called upon its development partners to support the country towards the Emergency Targeted Food Distribution programme.

The call follows revelations that the government is having a deficit of 73 thousand metric tonnes of maize worth 30 million dollars (about K7.5 billion) to complete the programme.

A recent report by the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee has revealed that about 1.6 million people in the country will be hit by hunger due to prolonged dry spells and high food prices.

This year’s figure is eight times higher that lat years estimated 202 thousand people.

Meanwhile, the government together other development partners have already rolled out the programme in the Southern and Central regions where people from disaster hit areas will receive free food.

About 25 thousand metric tonnes of maize which the government released from the Strategic Grain Reserves is expected to be distributed in the areas.