Save the Children in Malawi Welcomes President's Declaration of State of Disaster

Monday 25 March 2024

Lilongwe, 25th March 2024 - Save the Children in Malawi commends His Excellency, the President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera for declaring a State of Disaster in 23 out of Malawi's 28 districts affected by El Nino conditions. This declaration, effective the 23rd of March 2024, comes as a response to the devastating El Nino induced impact of inadequate rains, prolonged dry spells, and floods on the country's agricultural sector and food security.

In his address to the nation on 23rd March 2024, President Chakwera highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, especially in providing food relief to the affected populations. The President's commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable communities is evident in his call for unity and collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, international partners, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

The President's directive to establish the Presidential Initiative to Stop Hunger underscores the gravity of the situation which has affected approximately 2 million farming households, with an estimated requirement of close to 600,000 metric tonnes of maize valued at 357.6 billion Malawian Kwacha for the humanitarian response. Save the Children in Malawi is available and ready to work hand in hand with the Government to ensure a child-sensitive humanitarian response that prioritizes the well-being of children and their families. As an organization dedicated to child rights, Save the Children in Malawi reaffirms its commitment to mobilizing essential services, protection, and assistance to children and families affected by this State of Disaster.

“The effects of El Nino will have impacts in poor households which host significant number of children if nothing is done urgently and in a coordinated manner. Therefore, we join President Chakwera in appealing for immediate support, we believe together we can ensure that NO Child, NO life should be lost because of this imminent hunger, together we can make a difference and prevent further suffering among the most vulnerable members of our society.”- Andrew Nyirongo, Acting Country Director, Save the children International, Malawi

For more information or to support our humanitarian efforts, please contact Save the Children in Malawi.

John Chipeta, Senior Advocacy, Campaigns, Communication and Media +265888542187 john.chipeta@savethechildren.org