Presbyterian World Service & Development is partnering with Churches Action in Relief and Development on a food assistance project in the Balaka District of Malawi.
Balaka is a region in the south that has been most affected by El-Nino-related droughts in 2023-24, which wilted crops and exacerbated food insecurity to an IPC 3 and even 4 level. The Traditional Authority of Nkaya is one of the most affected areas, with as many as 7085 households without enough food of their own. Food prices have risen dramatically, and household members are engaging in negative coping strategies to survey. However, there are no plans from government and other key partners to provide assistance to this region.
The project will provide direct cash transfers of CAD 72 per household per month for five months to allow the participants to purchase food (e.g., maize and pulses) and cooking oil locally. The project aims to reach 1,700 households, comprising 8,500 individuals.