Lilongwe, Malawi … On 17 April 2016 President Peter Mutharika extended a “declaration of emergency” as reports concerning the current famine continue to reflect a worsening situation. Reports indicate insufficient food supplies for a large segment of the population, while at the same time the supply that is available is quickly being priced out of range for the average Malawi village family.
The shortfall is a result of a ruined 2015 harvest due to extensive flooding in various parts of the nation. In other parts of the country the lack of sufficient rains contributed to the same result, shortages that cause an estimated 2.8 million people to face food shortages.
Adding to the seriousness of the issue is the fact that where food supplies are available they are priced 184% higher than the five year average, and 148% higher than prices in March 2015. Village families who have lost their crop simply do not have access to the funds required to buy food they normally raise themselves.
The Malawi Project started sending emergency food supplies last November and has been increasing the effort as the famine grows more serious. Food is being shipped from the U.S. as well as being purchased locally in Africa for immediate distribution. Your help is needed. www.malawiproject.org/donate