Scottish Government funding helps people facing hunger in Malawi

SCIAF has welcomed a contribution of £150,000 from the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) to help some of the most hungry and vulnerable people in Malawi.

Malawi is currently facing a serious food shortage - with many people only able to eat one meal a day.

This crisis is being exacerbated by the effects of the climate emergency. Successive cyclones, floods, and droughts over the last few years have been completely devastating to communities in Malawi.

SCIAF's Malawi Programme Manager, Rob Angove said: 

"Daily life is very challenging for many people in Malawi. This money from the Scottish Government has come at a crucial time when food is scarce and the weather unpredictable.

"The funding will make a real and much needed difference. With luck, the rains will be good, and this support will tide them over until the crops are ready to harvest." 

"In Malawi, we are struck by both the resilience and the generosity of the people there. We witness communities with so little help those with even less. It is humbling to see these communities do all they can to help each other whilst experiencing such hardships."

Chris MacLullich, SCIAF Malawi Programme Officer, stated:

"In order to survive, feed their children and pay medical bills, many people in Malawi have been forced to sell the few assets they have, such as their livestock.

"In addition, farmers in Malawi are under extreme stress as crops are becoming unreliable. If the rains don't come and a harvest fails, this is catastrophic - and the community will face even more hunger.

"The money from the HEF funding will meet the immediate needs of vulnerable and hungry people. The funding will be used to feed families, pay medical bills, and buy livestock. It will also be used to invest in the communities' small businesses. This means the funding will benefit the community longer than solely receiving hand-outs of food parcels."

^{Header photo of people sitting at St. Francis-Chidzanja Parish Church in Balaka, Diocese of Mangochi}