At the peak of Malawi’s hunger crisis, Muslim Disaster Relief Aid provided critical support to thousands of struggling families on Sunday, bringing rare relief to those in dire need by distributing food packs to 2,000 households, 1,000 in Thyolo District and another 1,000 in Mulanje District.
MaDRA Communications Director Ibrahim Omar Mataya said the intervention comes at a time when hunger levels are alarming, with recent reports indicating that more than four million Malawians are facing starvation.
He said MaDRA has partnered with several Muslim-led and community organisations to respond quickly to the crisis and ensure help reaches those most in need.
Mataya explained that MaDRA has formed a consortium of organisations, including Bilal Trust, Limbe Muslim Jamaat, Muslim Youth United, Ashraful Aid, Blantyre Youth, Al Mahmood, An Nasiha and Drop of Compassion, all working under one umbrella to assist Malawians regardless of background.
“Our target as MaDRA is to mobilise K1 billion in immediate funds so that we can reach at least 15,000 households across the country,” said Mataya.
He added that the current distributions in Thyolo and Mulanje are part of a rolling programme that will continue week in, week out, as funds are raised and more communities are identified.
Minister of Local Government Ben Phiri has meanwhile appealed to individuals and organisations of goodwill to respond to President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s call to support hunger-affected households during the lean period.
Phiri said the food situation on the ground is dire and requires a collective national effort to prevent further suffering.
Alinafe Mmangisa one of the beneficiaries from Savala Village, Traditional Authority Nanseta in Thyolo, said her family has been surviving on piecework for daily meals.
She thanked MaDRA and its partners, saying the food pack will help her household get through the most difficult days of the hunger season.
Each beneficiary household in both districts received a comprehensive food pack consisting of 20 kilogrammes of maize flour, cooking oil, beans, soya pieces and salt, along with K5,000 cash to help families meet other urgent needs.
