Malawi President Declares State of Disaster in 23 Districts
In response to the prolonged period of dry spells and floods plaguing the nation, Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has declared a state of disaster in 23 districts.
This announcement came during a National Address delivered at Kamuzu Palace on Saturday, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.
President Chakwera emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that Malawi requires K357.6 billion to address the crisis. The impact of the natural disasters has been extensive, with approximately 749,113 hectares affected, directly impacting over 2.3 million households across the afflicted districts.
The districts heavily affected include Nsanje, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Thyolo, Phalombe, Mulanje, Chiradzulu, Zomba, Machinga, Mangochi, Salima, Ntcheu, Dowa, Dedza, Ntchisi, Kasungu, Nkhotakota, and Karonga.
President Chakwera has taken decisive action, directing the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) to provide emergency food items to those affected by the crisis.
Additionally, he has tasked the Ministry of Agriculture with collaborating with other agencies to assess the impacts of the 2024 El Niño phenomenon, which contributed to the current state of disaster.
Having witnessed firsthand the suffering caused by climate change during visits to districts such as Karonga and Nkhotakota, President Chakwera appealed to both domestic and international entities for assistance.
He urged individuals, organizations, and international partners to extend their support through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs.
The devastating effects of the climate-related disasters have ravaged crops such as maize, groundnuts, soybeans, cowpeas, and rice, exacerbating food insecurity and economic hardships in the affected regions.
Source: Malawi24
