By Willy Kadewere

Chikwawa, October 11, Mana: Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) with funding from Caritas Korea, through the Episcopal Conference of Malawi on Thursday disbursed cash to 432 families that were affected by hunger in Traditional Authorities Mulilima, and Katunga in Chikwawa District.

The cash disbursement comes as a response to the negative effects of the El Nino weather patterns that affected many farming families across Malawi.

Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana), Director of Social Services in the Diocese of Chikwawa, Fr. Mathews Semba said the 432 families in Traditional Authorities Mulilima and Katunga have received K100,000 each and the total budget for the cash transfer was K60 million.

Through Chikwawa District Council, the diocese used the Unified Beneficiary Register (UBR) to identify vulnerable people who did not benefit from other social protection programmes.

Chikwawa District Council, Disaster Risk Management Officer, Charity Machika commended CADECOM for complementing government’s efforts in providing relief to vulnerable households in the current lean season.

Machika therefore, appealed to all beneficiaries to make use of the cash to buy food for their families and other good intentions.

Patricia Diverson from Kajawo Village, Traditional Authority Mulilima appreciated CADECOM’s gesture, saying she would use the money to buy food for her family.

“I am happy with the money that CADECOM has given me. I will feed my five children," added Diverson.

Apart from the cash transfer programme, CADECOM, through Chikwawa District Health Office will also provide fortified Likuni phala to malnourished children in the district.