Malawi Red Cross Distributes Cash to Ease Hardship for Ultra-Poor
Mzimba district reported 34,000 food-insecure households this year after climate change disrupted crop yields.
MZIMBA, Malawi - The Malawi Red Cross Society has distributed cash payments to 1,500 ultra-poor households in Mzimba South District to help ease economic hardship exacerbated by climate change and food insecurity, writes Victoria Yande.
Each of the beneficiary households in Traditional Authority Mabilabo's area received K50,000 in the first of three monthly payments totaling K150,000 funded by the Saudi Arabia Red Crescent.
The overall program is worth 396 million kwacha.
Felix Washoni, the society's communications coordinator, said the aim is to reduce the challenges faced by the ultra-poor in rural areas struggling with hunger and inability to afford basic needs like maize and fertilizer.
"We are targeting poor people who can't manage to buy food like maize, and we are also donating vegetable and sweet potato seeds to 500 beneficiaries," Washoni said.
The society also advises recipients on properly utilizing the cash transfers to improve their livelihoods.
One beneficiary, 63-year-old Maria Kumwenda from Luwelezi area, said the money would help pay her child's school fees and purchase household items.
"I failed to support my family since I depend on farming due to high cost of inputs and climate change," said Kumwenda, who called for continued assistance.
Mzimba district reported 34,000 food-insecure households this year after climate change disrupted crop yields.
The cash transfer program aims to cushion ultra-poor families facing hardship from economic, environmental and food security shocks in the impoverished southern African nation.