One thousand families in Zomba who have endured months of uncertain meals, can now afford a smile after relief finally arrived in the form of maize support aimed at easing the deepening hunger crisis.
National Bank of Malawi, NBM plc, handed over 1,000 bags of maize to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, DoDMA, in support of the National Food Relief Initiative targeting people affected by the prolonged dry spell.
The handover ceremony took place on Thursday at St. Anthony in Traditional Authority Mlumbe, Zomba, where community members gathered with renewed hope that the donation would cushion vulnerable households struggling to put food on the table.
The contribution forms part of NBM plc’s K300 million commitment made in January following former President Peter Mutharika’s declaration of a State of Disaster caused by a prolonged dry spell that affected 11 districts across the country.
Speaking after the donation on Thursday, NBM plc Chief Operations Officer Masauko Katsala said the institution felt duty-bound to respond to the national appeal as a responsible corporate citizen.
“As the ‘Bank of the Nation’, we felt compelled to respond when the appeal was made. Our customers are Malawians, and we operate within Malawi. Supporting this initiative is part of our commitment to giving back to the communities we serve and contributing to national development,” said Katsala.
He added that the K300 million contribution forms part of the Bank’s broader culture of corporate responsibility.
Principal Secretary for Administration in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Rashid Ntelera, commended NBM plc foritse timely intervention, noting that the donation will significantly supportthe affected households.
“So far, the progress has been very good. We requested a full support package amounting to K7.1 billion. What we have received so far, including the assistance delivered today and the support we received earlier in Blantyre in February, brings us close to that figure, and it may even end up being less than initially projected. This means that the response has exceeded what we originally asked for,” said Ntelera.
Zomba District Commissioner Musandide Misinjo said the prolonged dry spells have affected the farmers who are now seeking help to re-establish themselves.
“Due to these conditions, many farmers have uprooted their failed crops and are now replanting drought-resilient varieties. Government, together with its partners, has intervened by distributing sweet potato vines and cassava cuttings to help households cope and rebuild food security,” said Misinjo.
He revealed that about 8,145 families across the district have been affected by hunger, including approximately 3,000 from the area of Senior Chief Mlumbe alone.
One of the beneficiaries, Joyce Mwanza, expressed gratitude for the support, saying the maize will bring immediate relief to struggling households.
