By Solister Mogha

Zomba, April 4, Mana:  Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) this week launched its Lean Season Response Programme by distributing K98 million cash to 650 hunger affected families in Zomba in response to government's appeal for humanitarian assistance in the face of current food situation.

The support which follows the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) report compliments to government's effort in assisting families that have no food.

Speaking during the launch at Traditional Authority Ngwelero, MRCS Emergency Operations Coordinator Lous Solomon said the distribution of cash was a response to government's call to support food insecure households.

“After the MVAC report, government made a call for development partners to support families deemed to be food insecure, As Malawi Red Cross Society, we mobilized resources that will support 650 families in Zomba for three months,” Solomon said.

He said each of the selected households will get an equal total support of K150,000 covering a period of three months.

“It is our expectation that these families will buy food and be able to take care of their families, especially addressing their food need,” Solomon explained.

Apart from cash distribution, the MRCS will also support all farming households with sweet potato vines and vegetable seeds for winter cropping.

Dyna Taulo, 86, hailed the MRCS for the support, saying she will use the money to buy maize to feed her family which was in difficult food situation.

“I have five grandchildren and for the past three days we relied on okra. This support is a big relief to me,” she said.

According to MVAC report, over 49,000 households are likely to face hunger, thus calling for huge support.