By Doricah Mkwapatira

Machinga, February 26, Mana: Self Help Africa has disbursed cash to over 1,290 households that are currently affected by El-Nino induced hunger in Machinga District with each selected vulnerable household receiving K92,000, for January and February, to buy food.

Self Help Africa Project Manager, Rosemary Kabanga, said the organisation felt obliged to take part in addressing the current food situation in the district following the dry spell.

Kabanga said this at Traditional Authority (TA) Liwonde headquarters during the cash disbursement to beneficiaries of the safety net programme.

“The financial support is meant to cushion vulnerable households against hunger for three months,” she said.

Machinga District Council Disaster Risk Management Officer, Shepherd Jere, hailed Self Help Africa for responding to government’s appeal to local and international organisations for humanitarian food assistance following declaration of disaster in 23 districts in Malawi.

“The Council is grateful that Self Help Africa responded to government’s appeal for food assistance. In three months, Machinga will be relieved from hunger,” Jere said.

He urged beneficiaries to put their money in village saving banks and invest in small businesses to ensure a continuous cash flow in their homes.

“This is a lot of money considering that many other organisations are providing food assistance. I urge everyone to try and join Village Savings and Loan groups and start small businesses for economic stability even after this project phases out," he advised.

Violet Sakalani from Njahito Village, said the cash is a life changing opportunity as she could not manage to feed her big family in the hunger situation.

“I am grateful to be included in this cash transfer programme. I will now be able to buy food and various basic needs to help me and my six children throughout this lean season.

“I could not even afford anything to sustain my family since the death of my husband," she said.

Group Village head Liwonde, who spoke on behalf of TA Liwonde, hailed Self Help Africa for disbursing cash to vulnerable households in the area.

“Hunger is at its peak in Machinga and during such difficult times many lives go without food. This money will deliver the recipient households from many uncertainties,” he said.

The cash transfer programme is funded by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO HIP) working in eight districts through a consortium of eight partners of Self Help Africa, CARE, Foundation for Community and Capacity Development (FOCCAD), Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD), Eagles Relief, Youth Network and Counseling (YONECO, Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) and Save the Children