DONOR ALERT TO BE ISSUED FOR MALAWI

DONOR ALERT TO BE ISSUED FOR MALAWI

NEW YORK, 16 August (OCHA) -- Recent vulnerability assessments showing that 4.2 million to 4.6 million individuals remain at risk of food insecurity have prompted the United Nations system in Malawi to begin preparations to issue a Donor Alert for the country. 

Already in Malawi, the number of households running out of food from their own production is increasing, forcing up maize prices.  This price increase will mean that many more households, especially the poor, will become unable to meet their food needs without assistance.  The worst affected part of the country is the southern region, followed by the central and northern regions.  Food distributions have already begun in the most affected southern districts.  The World Food Programme (WFP) and Joint Emergency Food Aid Programme (JEFAP) reached 82 per cent of targeted households with a July distribution of some 4,000 metric tonnes of food assistance.

A huge shortfall in available resources means that current food aid distribution plans are covering only 55 per cent of humanitarian needs.  If adequate resources are not forthcoming, especially for the critical period, the situation could deteriorate.  The Government of Malawi is working to replenish its strategic grain reserves, and has recently approved the Food and Nutrition Security Policy to establish an institutional arrangement to address food and nutrition security in the medium and long term.

The national Ministry of Health is planning to carry out nutrition assessments focused on districts at risk, in partnership with other stakeholders.  Efforts are also being made continuously to monitor admissions to nutrition rehabilitation centres as an indicator of nutrition status in children under five, with existing data confirming the high magnitude of food insecurity in the southern region.

International donors have also begun to consider ways to augment humanitarian assistance supplies.  However, current pledges represent only 40 per cent of total assistance requirements.  While some of that shortfall is likely to be met by various non-governmental and other organizations outside the two main pipelines, a substantial shortfall remains likely.

Aimed at informing the wider international community about the seriousness of the situation, and raising funds to address it comprehensively, the Donor Alert will request support to procure food, agricultural products such as seeds and fertilizer, and specialized nutrition supplies during the critical period from October 2005 to March 2006.  It has been prepared on the basis of the findings of this spring’s Southern African Development Community (SADC)-led Vulnerability Assessment Committee mission.

For further information, please call:  Stephanie Bunker, OCHA New York, tel.:  917 367 5126, mobile:  917-892-1679; or Vanessa Huguenin, OCHA Geneva, tel.:  +41 22 917 18 91.

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For information media • not an official record