The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) in Partnership with the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) has launched the Cash Transfer Project amounting to £250, 000 (MK 452 million) in response to the hunger crisis in the country.
The project led by the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) targets 4,500 households affected by hunger in Malawi in the ten districts of Chikwawa, Nsanje, Phalombe, Zomba, Machinga, Karonga, Dedza, Nkhotakota, Dowa, Karonga and Mzimba.
Addressing journalists in Zomba on Wednesday, February 28th, Right Reverend Bishop Alfred Chaima, the Bishop Chair of CADECOM and the of Zomba Diocese said the grant will help the Church to implement a cash transfer initiative aimed at assisting hunger-stricken families to buy foodstuffs during this tough period.
Bishop Chaima stated that the Church plans to reach out to 4, 520 families with cash transfers of MK100,000 to each household as a short-term solution to aid them with food during this hard season.
During the Function, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi expressed gratitude to the Scottish Government for the aid.
“The Scottish Government was also very instrumental, having supported us with two hundred thousand British pounds recently. We are deeply grateful on behalf of our people! In the same vein, the Scottish Government has also supported us yet again with an amount of 250, 000 British Pounds to support the worst-hit households by the current food crisis during February and March 2024,” said His Lordship on behalf of the Conference.
Bishop Chaima went further to say, “In diversity we are but one people created in the image of God and it is only prudent and just to take care of each other. The Holy Father, Pope Francis also emphasizes the need to take care of the poor and those in need. The Scottish Government has led by example by providing such enormous support to communities at risk of food insecurity in Malawi,” he said.
Speaking on the same, Rev Bro. Pascal Mtuwana, the Director of Social Services revealed that the Catholic Church in Malawi is working together with relevant government departments in all the targeted districts to avoid duplication with similar initiatives undertaken by other partners.
The project is being inspired by words of Scripture which says “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.” (Dt 15:11)
Chimwemwe Sakunda, the National CADECOM Coordinator highlighted that the Church through CADECOM “will continue to reach out to our various partners for more support to sustainably restore the livelihoods and strengthen the resilience of the affected households and communities,” She added that CADECOM will see to it that the initiative benefits solely the affected households by civic educating them to avoid abuse.
The grant comes at a time when many households are in dire need of food assistance.