An MoH grain bank in the village of Kwamba. The container protects grain from insects and the elements. A village committee runs the bank to ration food supplies during times of scarcity.

Feeding centers on the front lines of Malawian food crisis

MoH feeding centers are are seeing an increasing number of hungry, desperate orphans as Malawi's food crisis worsens.

The lack of food has prompted President Bingu Mutharikai to declare a “national disaster” and appeal for international help to alleviate the shortages.

The shortages are the result of a lack of rainfall this past growing season and dependence on imported seed and fertilizers, which have recently been in short supply. The U.N. has appealed for $88 million in aid from the world community, but so far only about $28 million has been pledged. Aid groups say that it normally takes about 4 months from the time funds are promised until they make their way to those in need.

Villagers are reportedly standing in line for up to 10 hours to receive rations of 5 – 10 kgs of maize. Maize prices at private traders have risen more than 300% since April.

The skyrocketing prices have placed a significant strain on the MoH food budget. The ministry is currently feeding 1800 children one meal a day in six centers. The ministry’s crisis nursery also needs additional funding to purchase ‘ready food,’ a fortified peanut butter-based product for malnourished infants.

To help weather the longer term implications of the shortage, Ministry of Hope is setting up grain banks and maize mills in conjunction with the community-based orphan centers. The idea is to sustain the child feeding programs of the centers through the income generated from maize sales and grinding.