By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, October 12, Mana: The Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP) Nkhoma synod has disclosed that 1700 households affected by El Nino in Salima district will receive food assistance for the next five months.

Speaking on Thursday during a District Executive Committee meeting, the synod's General Secretary Reverend Vasco Kachipapa said the church will from October to March 2025 be distributing the assorted food items in the areas that were affected.

"The areas that have been identified to receive food assistance are those that have been heavily affected by food shortage so that they should be relieved," he said.

According to Kachipapa, the church has received funding from their partners World Renew and Canadian Food Grain Bank amounting to K869 million which will be used during the exercise.

He said as a church they believe in helping the needy so that they can see the love of God through the good deeds of the church.

"The Malawi Vulnerable Assessment Committee report over 5.7 million people in the country are likely to be food insecure in the next few months, therefore we are collaborating with the government to alleviate the hunger that most families will face before the next harvesting season," he said.

Meanwhile, Salima district's Disaster Risk Management Officer Gloria Chinangwa said what the CCAP church has done is worth emulating.

Chinangwa said the district appreciates collaboration from stakeholders in lessening the effects of El Nino since most families are food insecure therefore more assistance is needed.

"We will also start maize distribution in all the 12 Traditional Authorities in the district, this is meant to ensure that families are cushioned," she said.

World Renew and CCAP work together to improve local healthcare systems through maternal and child health programmes and help families achieve long-term food security.