More than 500 families face a 16 mile walk
to collect food aid after heavy rains cut off all road access to their
communities.
After rains swept away two critical
bridges that crossed the Dwambazi River, communities in Khosolo, Mzimba
district, met Plan staff to discuss the best course of action.
The villagers and Plan came up with an alternative route, setting up a new distribution point where food aid could be collected. Although this meant a lengthy walk for villagers-the World Food Program (WFP) stipulates that no one should have to walk more than three miles to receive food-this was the only way to get food aid to the communities. The heavy rains continue to slow food aid distribution in the region, making conditions treacherous and road transport difficult.
In total, 32,000 households have received aid-but the number of communities needing food continues to rise. In Lilongwe, for example, an estimated 8,000 households now need food aid, while in Kasungu Program Unit the number is more than 11,000.
With support from a US$2 million relief fund, Plan Malawi expects to be able to cover all food aid needs up to March, when the next harvest is due.
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