Floods during growing season will decrease harvests in Malawi

Photo from the Times Group (www.times.mw/expect-more-floods-met-department-says/)

 

Please pray for the people and the country of Malawi. At least 56 people have died this year as a result of the flooding in Malawi. Most of the flooding has occurred in the southern part of the country. The orphan project is in the central area of the country and has received much rain but not deadly flooding.

According to The Malawi Times, at least 13 of the 28 districts in Malawi are affected by the flooding. The floods began as a result of Tropical Cyclone Desmond in late January and heavy rains have continued through February and March. These floods have affected at least 922,945 people and displaced at least 16,545 households, who are now living in camps.

The Village Civil Protection Committee has reported that most boreholes were underwater and 97% of latrines have collapsed in the flooded areas. The flooding will increase the likelihood of cholera and malaria in these areas.

The floods and heavy rains have also ruined their crops which were planted in December and January; this will increase the cost of food countrywide.

“An estimated 3.3 million people were assessed to be in need of food assistance until the start of the main harvest in April. The most food insecure districts are in the south, reflecting the impact of production shortfalls in 2018. As a result, many households depleted their food supplies from own-production earlier than normal, compelling households to access market supplies prematurely.

Moreover, the recent floods in the southern region, which have affected over 900 000 people, have further compounded the situation. Losses of food supplies, damages to the soon-to-be harvested 2019 crops and reduced access to markets, are likely to aggravate food security conditions. Heavy rainfall, forecast for much of the second dekad (set of 10 days) of March, could increase the risk of further flooding, potentially resulting in larger crop losses and interruptions to humanitarian operations.” (http://www.fao.org/giews/countrybrief/country.jsp?code=MWI)

Please pray for safety, housing and adequate nutrition for everyone. If you feel led to make sure the orphans have adequate nutrition, learn how to donate here.