NASFAM Donates Food Items to Cyclone Freddy Victims in Malawi

Malawi- The National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM) has donated 5,000 kg of maize flour and 5,000 kg of Nasm porridge product to people affected by Cyclone Freddy in the southern region, writes Judgement Katika.

Speaking during the handover ceremony with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) on Thursday, NASFAM Director of Programs Richard Patentchere explained that the donation was made because the same people who produce the company's products were affected by the disaster.

Petantchere stated: "The situation is so dire-too many people have tragically lost their lives, and thousands of people are displaced, so the situation is involving. As a company, we thought immediately to dispatch 5000kg of NAS porridge product and 5000 kg of maize flour to these people to have basic needs."

The NASFAM donation is estimated to feed 15,000 people for 10 days with both (maize flour) and rice porridge.

Petantchere refused to disclose the cost of the items, stating that the priority was to ensure that the affected people received food quickly.

DODMA Deputy Director for Disaster Response, Fyawupi Mwafongo, praised NASFAM for the timely and generous donation in response to the call for assistance made by Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera after declaring a state of emergency in the country.

Mwafongo lamented that the disaster had left many people homeless, and they urgently needed assistance in areas such as food, water, sanitation, hygiene, and infrastructure.

He appealed to other companies to follow NASFAM's example and provide support to the affected communities.

Cyclone Freddy has claimed over 200 lives in Malawi, leaving many people homeless in the southern region.

The government and humanitarian organizations continue to provide assistance to the affected communities.