By Aisha Chiwaya

Salima. December 4, Mana: Care Malawi on Tuesday commenced distribution of relief money aimed at curbing cases of malnutrition in Salima District as part of El Nino response.

Beneficiaries, that have been drawn from Traditional Authorities (TA) Pemba, Ndindi and Maganga, will receive K140, 000 for two months until January 2025.

Speaking during the launch of the exercise, District Nutrition Officer for Salima District Hospital, Macdonald Mtengula, highlighted that the intervention is expected to benefit 1,544 households targeting expectant mothers, malnourished children and the elderly.

"The funds will assist to buy six food groups to improve their health for two months," he said.

Mtengula expects that the intervention will improve nutrition status of the beneficiaries if they use the money wisely.

TA Maganga commended Care Malawi for the exercise saying it will help reduce hunger.

"My area was greatly affected by drought as such most households are not food secure. Therefore, we appreciate such gestures from well-wishers and we ask others to emulate it," she said.

One of the beneficiaries of the project, Agness Zwaki, described the cash she received as timely.

“Last season we did not harvest due to El Nino weather conditions. We were worried as to how we would sustain ourselves and our families but we are good to go with this money,” she said.

The beneficiaries are also expected to receive 50 kilogram of maize in the next two months.

Care Malawi is distributing the funds in partnership with GIZ through the government of Malawi.