Taking care of three children alone and making sure they eat every day has been incredibly difficult. There were days when they returned from school expecting food, and I had nothing to give them. This support has allowed me to provide for my children, restoring my hope and dignity.
Kalita is one of the 12 thousand people in the Neno District who has received a small cash payment from Christian Aid’s partner the Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) to help buy food and essentials.
The area has been experiencing a major food crisis due to a lack of rain which has devastated harvest yields and caused riverbeds to run dry.
The project, which ran during February and March, has been funded by the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF), which supports often hidden crisis situations through its charity partners, including Christian Aid. Funding totalling £150,000 has been spent boosting food security and resilience, through the direct cash payments.
We're based in countries affected by disasters so we can be there before, during and after an emergency to save lives and support people long term.
Malawi has been experiencing an ongoing food crisis due to prolonged dry spells, with the El Nino weather system becoming more extreme due to climate change. Last year the President of Malawi declared a national emergency because of the extreme weather. Invasions of ‘armyworms’ have also decimated crops (these are a pest which attacks maize crops).
Many people in Neno are struggling to put food on the table and this can have dire consequences on health and wellbeing, especially for children. The cash assistance gives them money in their pockets to buy the food and essentials they need from local markets. It really is a lifeline for those in crisis. We’re grateful to the Scottish Government for the funding which is enabling this vital humanitarian work.
The humanitarian assistance has targeted the most vulnerable members of the community in Neno District including single mothers and elderly residents. Dalles Ben, who is 72, says the funding from the Scottish Government is timely and hugely appreciated,
'The cash aid came just at the right time -this support has given me hope again. I know the food will sustain me for a while and I am grateful.'
In addition to Christian Aid’s humanitarian work in Malawi, we continue to work with local partners on projects which increase climate resilience. We are working with communities on smart farming methods. One example is planting crops that can handle dry conditions, like pigeon peas. You can read more about our work in Malawi below.
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