US pumps in $4.6mil to Malawi for food assistance

Unites States of America Ambassador to Malawi Virginia Palmer on Wednesday announced a donation of $4.6Million equivalent to MK3.3 Billion to assist Malawian in need of humanitarian food assistance.   

According to a statement, the additional donation is in response to the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee’s (MVAC) report that 6.7 million Malawians need humanitarian food assistance to alleviate suffering through March 2017, and of the $4.6 million, $2.5 million will be used to transport and distribute 10,800 Metric Tons (MT) of maize

“The United States Government continues to stand by Malawians in their time of need.  But, together we recognize that policy and market predictability are critical if Malawi’s farmers are to become entrepreneurs,” reads part of the statement.

The statement further reads that the United States government will continue to work with the Government of Malawi to break the cycle of food insecurity as this is Key to fulfilling Malawi’s New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition commitments.

The statement has revealed that Ambassador Palmer has since appreciated “President Mutharika’s leadership in dealing with the worst food crisis of the Southern Africa drought.”

Additionally, she has also praised Vice President Chilima’s months-long work to bring all stakeholders to the table to address Malawi’s food crises.

The statement has indicated that food will be bought using the funds that the US government has provided and will be channeled through the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).

The additional assistance brings the United States Government’s total contribution to the 2016/17 Food Insecurity Response Plan to $126Million, equivalent to about one third of  the Planed $395 Million estimated cost.

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