Airtel Africa Foundation’s relief food assistance reaches out to 1,000 households in Blantyre Rural’s T/A Chigaru

* With a further 1,000 households in Chikwawa to also receive 50kg bags of maize each as part of K300 million investment from Airtel Africa Foundation that was made available in December

* It also supports 25,000kg of soya flour for porridge for school feeding programmes in Blantyre and Chikwawa

By Duncan Mlanjira

Chief Secretary to the government, Justin Saidi presided over the distribution of 50kg bags of maize as relief food to 1,000 households in Blantyre Rural’s Traditional Authority (TA) Chigaru, which was purchased through K300,000 donation made by Airtel Africa Foundation towards vulnerable people that were affected by recent disasters.

The funds from Airtel Africa Foundation assisted to procure 2,000 bags of 50kgs each of maize of which 1,000 will be distributed to Chikwawa as well 1,000 bags of 25kg each (25,000kgs) of soya flour which has been distributed to 10 of Blantyre and Chikwawa school feeding programmes.

The support has been made in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) and the Malawi Red Cross Society and the Chief Secretary profoundly applauded Airtel Africa Foundation for the gesture that was facilitated by Airtel Malawi Plc, whose staff also graced the distribution exercise led by acting Managing Director, Abdul Shaik.

Saidi acknowledged that Airtel were first to respond to the appeal made by President Arthur Peter Mutharika for the private sector to assist the government to reach out to affected families when he declared a state of hunger disaster in all 28 districts of the country.

“Airtel always supports government when disasters strike and the Government is always appreciative of such swift support because when the President declared a state of disaster, he also made a pledge that ‘no one should die of hunger’ under his watch.

“So this support, made available through Airtel Africa Foundation, reaffirms government’s commitment to reach out to every household that was registered that they need food relief assistance.”

Saidi added that the government will continue to assist up until households will harvest their maize and praised the Almighty God for the good rains that will support people to harvest more food.

Airtel Malawi’s Enterprise Director, Limbani Ngoma emphasised that their response stems from the fact that their business thrives through the business support of all Malawians across the country.

Ngoma added that they needed to reciprocate in solidarity, saying: “Together we are one. You are our valued customers and we are here to lift up your spirits. The initiative reflects the company’s commitment to supporting communities in need of food.

“We are among the first to take a step forward in helping the community to ensure that people have adequate food. We will try to reach out to everyone using our services, not only to promote our business but also as a way of giving back to the community,” Ngoma said.

When the K300 million investment from Airtel Africa Foundation was presented to Minister of Finance, Economic Planning & Development, Joseph Mwanamvekha in December, Airtel Malawi Managing Director, Aashish Dutt indicated that that support reflects Airtel’s belief that during moments of national hardship, standing together is the greatest strength a country can have. 

Airtel Africa Foundation’s is part of the support from the country’s international partners, that includes the Government of Zimbabwe, which officially handed over a donation of food and non-food relief items on Monday.

Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to Malawi, Nancy Saungweme, who is also Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, handed over the relief items to Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, George Chaponda ceremony at the Office of the President & Cabinet at Capital Hill in Lilongwe.

Ambassador Saungweme emphasised the enduring brotherly and sisterly ties between Zimbabwe and Malawi, underscoring the spirit of Pan-Africanism and regional solidarity within SADC.

Receiving the donation, Chaponda expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Zimbabwe for the timely support, describing it as a reflection of shared values, partnership and common history.

He reaffirmed Malawi’s commitment to transparency in the distribution of the aid and to strengthening the longstanding cooperation between the two sister republics.