By Paul Madise

Lilongwe, August 20, Mana: The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has disclosed the disbursement of MK200 million to councils in the country for sensitization and beneficiary targeting for the 2024/25 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme.

Chipiliro Khamula, Public Relations Officer for the DoDMA has told Malawi News Agency about the development highlighting the disbursement of funds ranging from MK2 million to MK20 million depending on the population expected to benefit from the program.

Khamula has also stressed the significance of the exercise in identifying the most vulnerable and right beneficiaries for the program.

"According to the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee, a total of 5.7 million people are projected to be food insecure between October this year and March 2024 and will require food assistance," he said.

Malawi Government, through DoDMA and various humanitarian partners, has been mobilizing financial and in-kind resources following president Dr. Lazarus Chakwera's declaration of State of Disaster in 23 districts of the country due to effects of EI Nino weather phenomenon.

"So far, resources (cash and in-kind) amounting to over MK190 billion have been mobilized," Khamula expressed.

According to Khamula, DoDMA will further the collaborative efforts with the department's stakeholders in mobilizing the remainder.