Tag Archives: Malawi’s state of disaster

Environment, Malawi

Joyce Banda lauds Chakwera’s State of Disaster declaration

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Former President Joyce Banda has lauded Malawi leader Lazarus Chakwera for State of disaster declaration saying will encourage donor communities, individuals to act swiftly in helping those in need.

Banda therefore appealed to Malawians, individuals and Non-government to heed Chakwera’s call to help communities facing food shortage.

Addressing public rally at Area 23 in Lilongwe, JB commends, “It takes courage for a leader to make such a declaration, we commend him for that,” said Banda.

She added, “It is now time for people to support the government in providing relief food to the affected households.

“Let’s for once stop politics of castigation and help mitigate the suffering of the poor”.

On economic development, she challenged Malawians not to read much into the narrative that Malawi is poor but to keep pushing hard to transform their families and the country.

She has also disclosed that People’s Party will hold its convention during the first week of September this year.

On Saturday, March 23, 2024 Chakwera declared State of Disaster to 23 districts which are in dire need of food support to over six million people.

Environment, Malawi

Chakwera declares 23 districts state of disaster

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera has declared a state of disaster in 23 out of the country’s 28 districts, which have been affected by the effects of El Nino.

The President has made the declaration in his state of the nation address at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.

“The declaration is with effect from today, March 23 2024,” he says.

Chakwera says in all the 23 districts, the most urgent need is food because of the huge number of people at risk of facing hunger.

The declared districts including Nsanje, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Thyolo, Balaka, Mwanza, Neno, Mchinji, Mulanje, Phalombe, Salima, Zomba, Machinga, Mangochi, Dowa, Ntcheu, Ntchisi, Dedza, Chiradzulu, Lilongwe, Nkhotakota, Kasungu and Karonga.

Chakwera disclosed that about two million people have been affected by the effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon.

The President said districts have suffered from irregular rainfall, dry spell and flooding leading to a significant decline in agricultural production.

Chakwera disclosed that 749,113 hectares of maize have been affected representing 44.3% of the national crop.

He has since appealed to well-wishers both locally and internationally to render their support through the commissioner of the Department of Disaster Management Affairs.

“It is estimated that 600 000 metric tonnes of maize valued at MK357.6 billion will be needed,” he says.

Chakwera has since asked people to avoid politicising the situation, stressing that no one is to blame for the current weather misfortunes.