Zimbabwe has delivered an additional 370 tonnes of maize to Malawi in a fresh show of regional solidarity as thousands of households grapple with worsening food insecurity caused by prolonged dry spells.
The consignment – Zimbabwe’s second in less than a month – was handed over on Tuesday at the National Food Reserve Agency depot in Lilongwe.
Receiving the consignment in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Malawi’s Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Adack Saidi said the donation reflected Zimbabwe’s continued commitment to supporting Malawi as drought conditions intensify across several districts.
Zimbabwe first dispatched relief items on 27 January comprising foodstuffs and blankets.
Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Malawi, Nancy Saugweme said the phased delivery approach is intended to ensure effective distribution to affected communities.
She indicated plans to send a third consignment in the coming weeks, noting that the gesture reflects “the spirit of family and good neighbourliness.”
The donation comes as Malawi faces a deteriorating food security situation following erratic rainfall and extended dry spells linked to the El Niño weather pattern.
The government has warned that crop losses in several districts could leave hundreds of thousands in need of humanitarian assistance.
The maize from Zimbabwe is expected to complement ongoing national relief efforts targeting vulnerable households.
AP