Special Report: Disaster Relief Aid Supports 1,000 Households in Malawi
Widespread Drought & Famine Require Immediate Relief
Right now, across southern Africa, millions of families are facing devastating famine as a result of prolonged severe drought, record-high temperatures, and widespread crop failures. In Malawi alone, 2 million households have been affected, with around 600,000 metric tons of food aid required to address the need, according to a statement by President Lazarus Chakwera who declared a state of disaster in March.
In partnership with a generous and anonymous donor, Design Outreach is providing disaster-relief aid in the form of food deliveries to families in the Balaka District in the southern region of Malawi, which has been significantly affected by the drought.
DO & Partners Provide Urgent Aid to Hungry Families
This month, more than 4,000 people representing 1,000 households gathered in Nyanyala, Malawi, to receive their food distribution. While they waited for the 30-ton truck to be unloaded, those gathered—including government officials, village chiefs, and police officers posted to provide security and ensure a safe and orderly process—heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed.
On the day of the distribution, people began arriving at 6 a.m. to wait for the truck to arrive. While they waited, Pastor Abel Lazaro Sauti-Phiri preached about repentance and the saving grace of Jesus. As people received their bags of food, the Ward Counsellor distributed Bible storybooks to every household.
In addition, Senior Traditional Authority Nyalala addressed the crowd and thanked Design Outreach and our partners for the incredible donation, which was the first of its kind in the area. He explained how his people are “hunger-stricken” and “barely surviving.” He cited that 10 percent are surviving on sweet potatoes, which are too expensive for the majority to afford. The remaining 90 percent are surviving on masawu, which are wild fruits. He then prayed for Design Outreach and our partners who made this project possible.
Outside the distribution site, hundreds of bicycles awaited families to assist in the transport of the donated food items to homes about 10 kilometers away.
The truck finished unloading at around 5:30 p.m., and the contents impacted 1,000 households with the sustenance and nutrition they so desperately need.
Pray with Us for Eternal Impact
We are so thankful for this opportunity not only to provide for the physical needs of communities suffering from widespread drought and famine but also to share the good news of the Gospel to thousands of people in need of hope.
Please be in prayer for these families and all the communities impacted by this drought and famine, that God would use the words that were preached and the aid that was distributed to transform lives.
For local reports on the food distribution provided by Design Outreach, check out these Facebook posts by the Malawi News Agency and Balaka District Council.