A consortium of Muslim charitable organisations, led by Muslim Relief Aid Malawi (MaDRA), has launched a nationwide hunger relief food distribution campaign in response to Malawi’s worsening food insecurity during the lean season.
The consortium, comprising 10 local and international Muslim organisations, officially commenced the distribution on Sunday at Malekwa Village in Traditional Authority Juma, Mulanje District.
During the exercise, 1,000 households received assorted food items alongside a cash transfer of K5,000 each.
Speaking during the launch, Muslim Disaster Relief Aid spokesperson Ibrahim Omar Mataya said recent reports indicate that more than four million Malawians are facing hunger during the lean period, prompting the consortium to intervene.
“We will continue distributing these food items on a weekly basis until we reach as many vulnerable households as possible. Our commitment to supporting Malawians during this difficult period is strong, and we appeal to well-wishers to join us in this noble cause,” said Mataya.
Mataya added that through partnerships with Bilal Trust, Limbe Muslim Jamaat, Muslim Youth United, Ashraful Aid, Blantyre Youth, Al Mahmood, An Nasiha and Drop of Compassion, the consortium aims to reach communities across all regions of the country.
So far, the consortium has distributed food packs to 2,000 people—1,000 in Thyolo District and another 1,000 in Mulanje District.
Each food pack contained maize flour, ufa, cooking oil and soy pieces.
One of the beneficiaries, Elizabeth Butawo, expressed gratitude for the assistance, saying it had come at a critical time.
“I have never received any donation in my life. We were eating food without even salt, so this support has really helped us. I am appealing to them not to stop but to also assist others who are suffering like me,” she said.
Another consortium representative, Suhail Panjwani, said the initiative is in response to President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s call for collective action to support households affected by hunger during the lean period.
“We are targeting to raise K1 billion to support over 15,000 households nationwide. We are encouraged that many organisations have responded to our call, and we believe this assistance will help ease the burden on affected families,” said Panjwani.
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