Government Commends MaDRA for Assisting Hunger-Stricken Families in Thyolo

The government has commended Muslim Disaster Relief Aid (MaDRA) for providing food and cash assistance to hunger-affected households in Thyolo District, describing the intervention as timely amid worsening food insecurity.

MaDRA distributed relief food packs to 1,000 vulnerable households from Thyolo Central and Goliati constituencies during a ceremony held at Satemwa Ground.

Each beneficiary household received a food pack consisting of 20 kilogrammes of maize flour, cooking oil, beans, soya pieces and salt, in addition to K5,000 in cash.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Local Government, Ben Phiri, said government was grateful to MaDRA for responding to President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s call for support to families affected by hunger during the lean period.

Phiri said the food situation in the district remains critical, noting that about 37,000 people in Thyolo are currently affected by hunger.

“The situation on the ground is serious and requires a collective approach,” said Phiri.

He further said: “We are appealing to more organisations and individuals of goodwill to come forward and assist hunger-stricken families in Thyolo.”

MaDRA Communications Director, Ibrahim Omar Mataya, said the organisation is mobilising resources to reach vulnerable households with relief assistance, with Thyolo identified as one of the priority districts.

The relief exercise was carried out in collaboration with several Muslim organisations, including Bilal Trust, Limbe Muslim Jamaat, Muslim Youth United, Ashraful Aid, Blantyre Youth, Al Mahmood, An Nasiha and Drop of Compassion.

Government has since renewed its appeal to humanitarian partners to support efforts aimed at easing the food crisis affecting vulnerable households in the country.