MALAWI: CADECOM Distributes Cash and Food to Hunger-stricken Communities in Malawi
Stella Zulu
Families affected by hunger in Nkhotakota can now breathe a sigh of relief following a disbursement of K30.8 million cash to 308 households and distribution of fortified corn-soya flour for porridge worth K18 million to 500 households.
The Catholic Development Commission (CADECOM), a development arm of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), conducted the distribution exercises of cash transfers amounting to K100,000 (approximately 50 US dollars) per household and 15kgs of Fortified Porridge flour to communities severely affected by hunger to address food insecurity and malnutrition in the country.
Speaking during one of the distribution exercises in Nkhotakota district in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, CADECOM’s Archdiocesan Coordinator, Mr. Stanley Scofield said the initiative underscores the Catholic Church’s commitment to providing aid to communities during challenging times.
“CADECOM is committed to standing with vulnerable communities during challenging times. We aim to alleviate hunger and promote resilience across the country by addressing both immediate and long-term needs”. Said Mr. Scofield
Speaking during the event in Nkhotakota district where 303 households received the Cash transfers and 500 households have received the porridge flour, Traditional Authority Mwadzama commended CADECOM and its partners for the timely assistance to his people, both Catholic and Non- Catholics, and appealed for further support and collaboration to combat the ongoing food crisis in his area and beyond.
In Zomba Diocese, CADECOM has also reached out to 673 households in areas under Traditional Authority Chikowi where 233 households have received cash support while 440 households received porridge flour. These are part of the National response targeting 3230 cash transfers beneficiaries and 3749 porridge flour beneficiaries national wide.
The Church is also providing psycho-social support to the affected families to give them hope and avoid despair during this crisis and creating awareness on Gender-based violence to avoid violence against women and girls.
