Erratic weather patterns, exacerbated by rising costs of agricultural inputs, have rocked the 2023-2024 farming season in Malawi, forcing many families to grapple with the harsh realities of hunger.
The devastating effects of climate change have led to poor harvests, leaving vulnerable households struggling to put food on the table.
In the Mzuzu Diocese, the situation has become dire, with many families—particularly those headed by women or caring for the elderly and disabled—facing acute food insecurity.
The rising prices of fertilizers and seeds further compound their struggles, pushing many into despair as they watch their loved ones go hungry.
Recognizing this urgent need, the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) of the Diocese has moved swiftly to launch a K30 million relief initiative aimed at providing much-needed support to the most affected households.
Over the past year, CADECOM has also implemented several food assistance projects in the Mzuzu Diocese, focusing on emergency food distribution and cash transfers to support vulnerable families.
On December 2, 2024, an official distribution of material and financial aid took place at St. Bernadette Parish in Chibavi, Mzuzu City, marking the beginning of a crucial cash transfer and food distribution exercise.
The Director for Social Development of the Diocese, Fr. Austin Ndowera, who represented Bishop John Ryan at the event, expressed gratitude to Caritas Korea, Caritas Italiana, and Caritas Internationalis for their timely assistance through the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM).
Fr. Ndowera stated, “This initiative will serve food to the starving people in our Diocese,” acknowledging the critical role that these partnerships play in addressing hunger.
He highlighted that the Diocese has been severely impacted by low farm yields due to drought and unpredictable rainfall patterns, urging community members to engage in environmental restoration efforts, such as tree planting, as a means to combat these challenges.
Fr. Ndowera with one of the cash beneficiaries.
St. Bernadette Parish priest Fr. Toney Mfune, echoed these sentiments, expressing his gratitude for the support extended to vulnerable households in his parish.
“The hunger situation here has led to decreased attendance at Sunday services, as many struggle with acute food shortages. We are calling on the government to stabilize the economy and make agricultural inputs more affordable, emphasizing that Malawi is blessed with fertile land that could yield abundant harvests if properly utilized.”
The elderly are some of the cash beneficiaries
Dan Zimba, CADECOM-Mzuzu Diocese Coordinator, announced at the launch that each identified household would receive MK100, 000.00 in cash transfers and 15 kg of soya corn flour.
This assistance will benefit a total of 430 households across five parishes within the Diocese, including St. Albert the Great Parish-Mzuzu, St. Michael’s Pro-Parish Ekwendeni, St. Cecilia Parish-Mpherembe, and St. Paul’s Parish-Mzimba.
The need for continued support is immense, as nearly all 22 parishes in the Diocese are grappling with hunger, Zimba added.
“There are many more needy families in our Diocese,” Zimba stated. “While we are grateful for this assistance, it only reaches a fraction of those in need and serves as a short-term solution.”
Among the beneficiaries is Juliana Ngwira, a widow from Salisbury Lines in St. Bernadette Parish. After enduring three days without food for herself and her grandchildren, she expressed profound relief and gratitude upon receiving food assistance.
“I am so thankful to God for this help,” she said, her heart filled with hope.
As CADECOM Mzuzu Diocese continues its efforts to alleviate hunger in the Diocese, it remains committed to seeking additional support to address the ongoing needs of its communities and ensure that no one goes hungry.
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