By Vincent Nhlema

NASFAM, through its commercial arm (NASCOMEX), has donated 5000 kilograms of rice (for rice pudding) and another 5000 kilograms of fortified maize flour towards cyclone victims in the southern region of Malawi, in response to Malawi government’s call for support.

During a brief handover ceremony on Wednesday, held at NASFAM processing facilities in Kanengo, Lilongwe, NASFAM Head of Programs, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, Dr Richard Petautchere said “The food items we have donated are estimated to feed about 15,000 people for about 10 days”.

Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) Deputy Director for Disaster Response, Fyawupi Mwafongo, said “the government appreciates NASFAM Commercial for responding positively to the call for assistance as made by the president. He highlighted that the situation is terrible as many people have lost lives and thousands are in camps for shelter “hence food is one of the critical needs and the donation is coming at the right time.

The cyclone has brought devastation to over 10 districts in the southern part of Malawi, including Blantyre, Chikwawa, Nsanje, Phalombe, Thyolo, Mulanje, Zomba, Chiradzulu, Mwanza, Mangochi and Neno districts.

According to Malawi Red Cross Society, as of Wednesday, at least 225 people had been confirmed dead, over 83,000 people displaced and in dire need of humanitarian assistance, while search and rescue continues as many others are still reported missing.